A federal judge in New Jersey threw a top prosecutor out of his courtroom during a sentencing hearing and demanded that the U.S. attorney's office leadership testify about who controls the office. Judge Zahid Quraishi grew frustrated with Mark Coyne, the office's head of appeals, who appeared without formal disclosure and seemed to challenge the judge's authority.

Quraishi then ordered the three-person leadership team appointed by Attorney General Pam Bondi to appear next month. The judge questioned whether former interim U.S. attorney Alina Habba still influenced operations, despite her current role as a senior adviser to Bondi. The confrontation highlights escalating tensions between the Justice Department and federal judges in New Jersey over leadership appointments.

This courtroom clash follows a judge's ruling that the current leadership structure is unlawful, raising concerns about case integrity. Judge Matthew Brann warned that illegal appointments could lead to dismissed cases and reversed convictions. The judge's actions signal deepening distrust of the office's credibility and could disrupt ongoing criminal proceedings.