The acting U.S. attorney for the District of Delaware, Julianne Murray, has resigned following a court decision that ruled Alina Habba was unlawfully serving as a federal prosecutor in New Jersey. Murray submitted her resignation on Friday, stating that her decision was motivated by a desire to protect the integrity of the Justice Department and public confidence in the rule of law. She emphasized that political factors, rather than professional performance, ultimately cut short her interim tenure.
In a public statement, Murray criticized the Senate’s long-standing “blue slip” tradition, arguing that it was used for partisan purposes. She said Delaware Senators Chris Coons and Lisa Blunt Rochester refused to return favorable blue slips, preventing her nomination from advancing through the Judiciary Committee. Murray maintained that she had not used her office to promote political interests and expressed disappointment that she was never formally considered by the Senate.
Murray linked her resignation to the broader controversy surrounding Habba’s removal, saying she did not want her office to become entangled in political disputes. She praised the staff of the Delaware U.S. Attorney’s Office and endorsed Ben Wallace as her preferred successor. Murray added that she plans to continue serving the Justice Department in another capacity and closed her statement with a message of resolve and faith.
The controversy has renewed debate over the blue slip practice, which President Donald Trump has urged the Senate to eliminate. While Senate Republicans have largely resisted that push, recent court rulings limiting acting appointments have complicated the administration’s ability to staff U.S. attorney positions. Attorney General Pam Bondi announced that Habba will move into a senior advisory role while the Justice Department seeks further judicial review of the ruling.