FBI arrests suspect in attack on US Attorney Alina Habba’s office
In a significant development, Attorney General Pam Bondi announced that Keith Michael Lisa, the suspect linked to an attack on the office of U.S. Attorney Alina Habba in New Jersey, has been apprehended. The FBI had identified Lisa as the individual responsible for the incident, which occurred on November 12, 2025, at the Peter W. Rodino Federal Building in Newark. According to the FBI, Lisa entered the building with a bat, and after being denied entry, he discarded the weapon only to return later and cause damage within the U.S. Attorney’s office. Following the incident, a federal arrest warrant was issued for him on charges of possession of a dangerous weapon in a federal facility and depredation of federal property.
Bondi expressed her gratitude to the FBI, U.S. Marshals Service, and Homeland Security Investigations for their swift action in capturing Lisa, emphasizing that threats against U.S. Attorneys and their offices would not be tolerated. Alina Habba, who leads federal prosecutions in New Jersey, echoed Bondi’s sentiments, stating that the Justice Department would not allow intimidation or violence against law enforcement officials. This incident reflects a growing concern over attacks on law enforcement personnel, with Bondi noting that such acts are increasingly becoming a trend among radical groups. Lisa, described as a 51-year-old man standing approximately 6 feet 3 inches tall and weighing between 200 and 230 pounds, was considered dangerous and had ties to both New York City and Mahwah, New Jersey.
The coordinated efforts of federal law enforcement underscore the seriousness with which such threats are taken. FBI Director Kash Patel remarked on the importance of this arrest, highlighting that attacks on U.S. Attorneys are fundamentally assaults on the rule of law itself. Following the attack, Habba made it clear that she would not be intimidated in her role, reinforcing the commitment of the Justice Department to uphold justice and ensure safety for its personnel. As the legal landscape continues to evolve, the swift response to this incident serves as a critical reminder of the ongoing challenges faced by law enforcement in maintaining order and protecting those who serve in the judicial system.
Attorney General Pam Bondi announced Saturday that the suspect wanted in connection with the attack on U.S. Attorney
Alina Habba’s
office in New Jersey this week has been taken into custody.
The FBI had identified the suspect Friday night as Keith Michael Lisa.Â
Bondi said in an X post on Saturday morning that, thanks to the FBI, the U.S. Marshals Service and Homeland Security Investigations, the suspect wanted in the attack on Habba’s office “is now in custody.”
“No one will get away with threatening or intimidating our great U.S. Attorneys or the destruction of their offices,” Bondi wrote.
DOJ SEEKING SUSPECT AFTER ATTACK ON US ATTORNEY ALINA HABBA’S OFFICE
“We got him. This Justice Department under Attorney General Pam Bondi and our federal partners will not tolerate any acts of intimidation or violence toward law enforcement,” Habba wrote on X on Saturday in reaction to the arrest. “Now justice will handle him.”
The FBI said Lisa was wanted for allegedly entering the Peter W. Rodino Federal Building in Newark, New Jersey, on Nov. 12, 2025, while in possession of a bat.
“After being denied entry, he discarded the bat and returned,” the FBI said. “Once inside the building, he proceeded to the U.S. Attorney’s Office where he damaged government property.”
A federal arrest warrant was issued for Lisa on Thursday in the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey in Newark after he was charged with possession of a dangerous weapon in a federal facility and depredation of federal property, the FBI added.
“Today’s arrest shows what coordinated federal law enforcement can do. Threats against our U.S. Attorneys aren’t just attacks on individuals, they’re attacks on the rule of law. And we will respond every time,” FBI Director Kash Patel wrote on X.Â
Bondi had announced Thursday that an individual had attempted to
confront Habba
on Wednesday night, “destroyed property in her office” and then “fled the scene.’
“Thankfully, Alina is ok,”
Bondi added.
“Any violence or threats of violence against any federal officer will not be tolerated. Period. This is unfortunately becoming a trend as radicals continue to attack law enforcement agents around the country.”
Habba said following the incident, “I will not be intimidated by radical lunatics for doing my job.”
Lisa, 51, was described by authorities as being around 6 feet 3 inches tall and weighing between 200 and 230 pounds.
HABBA: JUSTICE DEPARTMENT MOVED ‘SWIFTLY AND DECISIVELY’ TO STOP ISIS-LINKED HALLOWEEN TERROR PLOT TARGETING JEWS
The FBI said Lisa has ties to New York City and Mahwah, N.J., and “should be considered dangerous.”
On its website, the
Justice Department
said that as Acting U.S. Attorney and Special Attorney to the United States Attorney General, Habba “is responsible for overseeing all federal criminal prosecutions and the litigation of all civil matters in New Jersey in which the federal government has an interest.”
“Including the offices in Newark, Camden, and Trenton, Ms. Habba supervises a staff of approximately 155 federal prosecutors and approximately 130 support personnel,” the Justice Department said.
