Donald Trump’s hush money case brings Iraq-origin lawyer Alina Habba under spotlight
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Raven Ruma
- . April 5, 2023
- . Update: April 6, 2023 11:53 am
As former US President Donald Trump was arrested and charged with 34 felony counts of fraud in a court on Tuesday, eyes are turning to his legal team.
Although Alina Habba, who identifies herself as an Arab American Catholic whose family comes from Iraq, is not involved in Trump’s trial, she has been leading investigations to clear the real estate businessman’s name.
Born in the US, 39-year-old Habba played a critical role in defending the former president as his legal council during his impeachment, eventually helping secure his acquittal as well.
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She joined Trump’s legal team just a couple of years ago, replacing lawyers who had worked for the former leader for years, including Charles Harder and Marc Kasowitz.
The New Jersey attorney is the managing partner of Habba Madaio & Associates LLP and also the senior adviser for a group that supports Trump’s political agenda and beliefs, called MAGA.
Her family left Iraq in 1980 to dodge persecution against Christians. Her father is a prominent gastroenterologist who was appointed as an Officer of Royal Order by Queen Elizabeth. Saad Habba is a graduate of Ireland’s Royal College of Surgeons.
Alina Habba has two children with her husband, who works as a commercial real estate investor.
The criminal charges Trump is currently facing stem from a hush money payment made to a former adult film actress to buy her silence. Stormy Daniels says she had sex with the former president back in 2006.
Nevertheless, despite facing criminal charges, Trump can still proceed with his election campaign, although there are a few practical considerations, such as the impact a long legal fight could have on his election rallies.
