Overview
- U.S. District Judge Zahid N. Quraishi ordered Justice Department appeals chief Mark Coyne to leave his courtroom for speaking without filing a notice of appearance.
- The judge paused a child‑pornography sentencing, calling the investigation "sloppy" and faulting prosecutors for reaching a plea before all evidence was reviewed.
- Quraishi directed Philip Lamparello, Jordan Fox and Ari Fontecchio to testify under oath in Trenton about who is running the New Jersey U.S. Attorney’s Office, with the session set for May 4.
- He warned he may also summon Alina Habba and Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche if the testimony does not clarify decision‑making in the office.
- Judge Matthew Brann previously found Habba’s tenure and the three‑person replacement structure unlawful, stayed his disqualification order pending appeal, and DOJ responded by denouncing the court actions as overreach while Habba denied any ongoing control.