NEWS: Trump has withdrawn Alina Habba's nomination to be US attorney in New Jersey, part of a multistep maneuver intended to keep her in the position as acting US attorney beyond an initial Friday deadline.

Here's how it works: 1) Habba resigns as interim US attorney, ahead of a Friday deadline 2) Trump withdraws Habba's nomination to take the job permanently 3) AG Bondi appoints Habba First Assistant US attorney 4) Habba automatically becomes acting US attoreny bc of the vacancy.

The reason Trump has to withdraw her nomination is because the Federal Vacancies Reform Act prohibits the nominee for a Senate-confirmed office from holding the post on an "acting" basis.

NEW: The Trump administration is making a last ditch series of maneuvers to keep Alina Habba in as the top federal prosecutor in New Jersey. It might work. w/ @ryrivard

@ryrivard Here is Trump's official letter to the Senate withdrawing Habba's nomination as U.S. attorney in New Jersey, in order to install her in an acting capacity.