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U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi on Thursday condemned an attack on Acting U.S. Attorney Alina Habba, warning that violence against federal officials “will not be tolerated” as authorities search for a suspect who damaged property inside Habba’s New Jersey office.
“Last night, an individual attempted to confront one of our U.S. Attorneys — my dear friend @USAttyHabba — destroyed property in her office, and then fled the scene. Thankfully, Alina is okay,” Bondi wrote on X.
“Any violence or threats of violence against any federal officer will not be tolerated. Period. This is unfortunately becoming a trend as radicals continue to attack law enforcement agents around the country,” she continued.
“We will find this person, and the individual will be brought to justice. Our federal prosecutors, agents, and law-enforcement partners put their lives on the line every day to protect the American people, and this Department will use every legal tool available to ensure their safety and hold violent offenders fully accountable,” Bondi added.
The incident occurred on Wednesday evening at the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Newark, where local law enforcement said a man first tried to enter the building carrying a bat, according to reporting by The New York Times. Security prevented him from getting inside.
The man later returned without the bat and was allowed entry. Officials say he went to the floor where Habba’s office is located, shouted incoherently, and caused damage before fleeing. It remains unclear whether he made direct threats against Habba. She has not commented publicly about the episode.
Law enforcement agencies are searching for the suspect.
“Our federal prosecutors, agents, and law-enforcement partners put their lives on the line every day to protect the American people, and this Department will use every legal tool available to ensure their safety and hold violent offenders fully accountable,” Bondi said.
Habba, a longtime ally of President Donald Trump, previously served as his attorney and later as a White House counselor before assuming the role of acting U.S. attorney.
Habba said after the incident: “I will not be intimidated by radical lunatics for doing my job.”