Judge Slams NJ US Attorney's Office, Orders Leaders to Testify

Frustrated by chaotic oversight, judge throws out prosecutor and demands answers from top officials.

Mar. 18, 2026 at 8:18am

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A federal judge in New Jersey has taken extraordinary measures against the U.S. Attorney's office, throwing out a prosecutor, criticizing the office's leadership, and ordering the top three officials to testify under oath about the management structure and decision-making in the office.

Why it matters

The judge's actions highlight growing concerns about the Justice Department's oversight of federal prosecutions in New Jersey, with the judge accusing prosecutors of losing the confidence and trust of the court, legal community, and public. The case also raises questions about the Trump administration's controversial replacement of the interim U.S. Attorney and the ongoing legal battle over the office's leadership.

The details

U.S. District Judge Zahid N. Quraishi lashed out at Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel Rosenblum, ordering him to leave the courtroom after his supervising attorney tried to intervene. The judge said Rosenblum and the office had lost the confidence of the court, legal community, and public. Quraishi was preparing to sentence a defendant in a child pornography case that he said had been compromised by a 'sloppy investigation' and the U.S. Attorney's office's haste to reach a plea deal. The judge ordered the three officials - Philip Lamparello, Jordan Fox and Ari Fontecchio - who have been running the office to testify before him on May 4, threatening to also summon the Justice Department's second-in-command if their answers are unsatisfactory.

  • The hearing took place on Monday, March 17, 2026.
  • The three officials have been running the U.S. Attorney's office in New Jersey since a judge ruled last week that the Trump administration's decision to replace the interim U.S. Attorney was unconstitutional.
  • The judge ordered the three officials to testify before him on May 4, 2026.

The players

Zahid N. Quraishi

A U.S. District Judge who was appointed in 2021 by President Joe Biden.

Daniel Rosenblum

An Assistant U.S. Attorney who was reprimanded by the judge during the hearing.

Philip Lamparello, Jordan Fox and Ari Fontecchio

The three officials who have been running the U.S. Attorney's office in New Jersey since a judge ruled last week that the Trump administration's decision to replace the interim U.S. Attorney was unconstitutional.

Alina Habba

A Justice Department senior adviser who the judge questioned whether she has any role in running the U.S. Attorney's office, which she has denied.

Todd Blanche

The Justice Department's second-in-command, whom the judge threatened to summon to testify if the three officials' answers are unsatisfactory.

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What they’re saying

“You have lost the confidence and the trust of this Court. You have lost the confidence and the trust of the New Jersey legal community, and you are losing the trust and confidence of the public.”

— Zahid N. Quraishi, U.S. District Judge

“Unfortunately some judges are more interested in courtroom theatrics and constitutional overreach than promoting public safety. It is an especially troubling moment when a court chooses to sideline a case involving child exploitation.”

— Chad Gilmartin, Spokesman, U.S. Department of Justice

What’s next

The judge has ordered the three officials running the U.S. Attorney's office in New Jersey to testify before him on May 4, 2026. If their answers are unsatisfactory, the judge said he may also summon the Justice Department's second-in-command, Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, to testify.

The takeaway

This case highlights the growing tensions between the federal judiciary and the Justice Department over the leadership and management of U.S. Attorney's offices, with the judge accusing prosecutors of losing the trust and confidence of the court, legal community, and public. It raises questions about the Trump administration's controversial actions and the ongoing legal battle over the office's leadership in New Jersey.