Federal investigators are on high alert as they hunt for a suspect who attempted to intimidate acting New Jersey U.S. Attorney Alina Habba by showing up at her office building with a baseball bat.
According to sources close to the matter, the individual was denied entry when he arrived outside the Peter Rodino Federal Building in Newark on Wednesday night due to the presence of the bat. However, after removing the object, he was allowed inside and made his way upstairs where he spoke with a receptionist behind secure glass, claiming to be there to see Habba.
Despite having no appointment, the individual waited briefly before becoming agitated and tearing down two pictures hanging in the foyer area. He then fled the building without entering the prosecutors' offices, which are only accessible through a locked buzzer door. Law enforcement is now reviewing security footage to identify the suspect.
In response to the incident, Habba took to social media to express her defiance against those who seek to intimidate her while doing her job. "I will not be intimidated by radical lunatics for doing my job," she stated. Attorney General Pam Bondi also offered support, saying that Alina is safe and that they will find the individual responsible.
The incident has been described as a disturbing example of threats against federal officials, with Bondi making it clear that such behavior will not be tolerated. With Habba's 120-day acting role still in effect due to a judge's decision on her permanent appointment, investigators are working to track down the suspect and bring them to justice.
According to sources close to the matter, the individual was denied entry when he arrived outside the Peter Rodino Federal Building in Newark on Wednesday night due to the presence of the bat. However, after removing the object, he was allowed inside and made his way upstairs where he spoke with a receptionist behind secure glass, claiming to be there to see Habba.
Despite having no appointment, the individual waited briefly before becoming agitated and tearing down two pictures hanging in the foyer area. He then fled the building without entering the prosecutors' offices, which are only accessible through a locked buzzer door. Law enforcement is now reviewing security footage to identify the suspect.
In response to the incident, Habba took to social media to express her defiance against those who seek to intimidate her while doing her job. "I will not be intimidated by radical lunatics for doing my job," she stated. Attorney General Pam Bondi also offered support, saying that Alina is safe and that they will find the individual responsible.
The incident has been described as a disturbing example of threats against federal officials, with Bondi making it clear that such behavior will not be tolerated. With Habba's 120-day acting role still in effect due to a judge's decision on her permanent appointment, investigators are working to track down the suspect and bring them to justice.
! Like, what even is that? I remember when my dad used to get threatened by some dude who thought he was gonna hurt him because of his old records back in the day. It was super scary for him, and I had to be all protective of him (my mom would always be like "don't worry, honey, it's not personal"). Anyway, back to this guy... can you imagine if someone showed up at your workplace with a baseball bat? Like, I get that Alina is doing her job and all, but c'mon dude! 
She's already got enough stress trying to keep the bad guys in check.
he shows up at habba's office with a baseball bat like what even... i dont think anyone should be intimidated from doing their job, period. habba seems pretty cool about it too, all defiant on social media 
and im loving the fact that bondi is backing her up 
security footage will hopefully catch this guy in the act 
anyway, glad to hear habba's safe... fingers crossed they catch this dude soon 
He wasn't even trying to cause any real harm, just wanted to express his... let's say, concern 
about Alina Habba. And for what? She went and took to social media like a boss, throwing shade at these radical lunatics instead of, you know, being all calm and collected 
I don't think anyone wants a confrontation like that in their office foyer 
.
.
they cant even leave a bat outside someones office building without getting denied entry 
. It's like, you gotta respect people's boundaries, you know? She's just trying to serve the public and then some dude shows up with a baseball bat 
and freaks out because he can't see her. I don't get it, fam. And now she's making a big deal about not being intimidated... yeah, no kidding, that's kinda your job 
. But for real though, this is a super scary situation and I hope they catch the dude ASAP 
. It's just another reminder of how messed up things can get when people lose their cool 
.