WAYNE - When Alina Habba began her tenure in March as interim U.S. Attorney for New Jersey, she talked about focusing on political corruption, mentioning Phil Murphy and Cory Booker by name.

The odd thing wasn't that a Donald Trump appointee was taking a gratuitous swipe at two prominent Democrats. It was that Habba was doing it as the state's chief federal prosecutor.

Now, her interim term is soon ending and the president has nominated Habba to stay on permanently.

What does Booker think about that?

The senator was more circumspect than you might have expected when asked about Habba after holding a veterans' town hall Wednesday afternoon in Passaic County.

Reflecting on the D.C. battle over the so-called "big, beautiful bill," Booker said he hasn't yet focused on Habba.

But then he added that the state's U.S. Attorney should be someone who focuses on real law enforcement issues, mentioning fentanyl and hate crimes.

Booker said he is concerned that Habba's office has done such things as arresting members of Congress (LaMonica McIver) and mayors (Ras Baraka). Both arrests stemmed from a protest outside an immigration detention center in Newark.

The charges against Baraka were quickly dropped; they are continuing against McIver.

"We don't need leaders who are going to divide us - especially in the U.S. Attorney position," he said.

Booker also said he was "stunned" that the White House did not reach out to him in advance of Habba's nomination.

Was he really stunned?

The appointment of a U.S. Attorney is by tradition a cooperative venture even when there are two parties involved. Those norms, however, have just about disappeared under Trump.

Booker did say that many law enforcement officials in the state agree that New Jersey needs a federal prosecutor who sticks to the duties of the office and does not engage in back and forth politics.

Booker spoke after what was at times a very moving town hall.

Veterans of various ages filled a meeting room at the Passaic County Public Safety Academy.

All had stories - stories of how the VA has failed them.

A handful of women vets said the VA and its offices are often dismissive of their medical concerns.

Booker did not disagree,

"I'm not satisfied with what our country is doing for veterans," he said.

The senator told a vet from Hoboken that he would look into getting federal help to provide housing for homeless vets.

Nothing happens in a political vacuum, and that was the case here.

The DOGE efforts of Elon Musk have resulted in the VA laying off 80,000 employees.

Booker drew applause when he condemned an administration that raises Pentagon spending while cutting support for those who actually serve.

"This is a tough time in America right now," he said.

Booker said he was heading right back to D.C. after his meeting with vets, which he said is always a "humbling" experience.

He said his immediate mission is to stop the "big, beautiful bill."

Prior to coming to Wayne, Booker said he visited The Valley Hospital in Bergen County, where there is great concern about Medicaid cuts that the senator said would impact tens of thousands of people in New Jersey.

"There is no logical sense to this bill," he said.