A federal judge on Tuesday evening said Los Angeles-based US Attorney Bill Essayli has been in the role unlawfully and disqualified him.
President Trump chose California Republican Assemblyman Bill Essayli to serve as the acting US attorney for the Central District of California earlier this year.
Bill Essayli is a staunch Trump supporter who has been aggressively investigating and prosecuting illegal aliens and criminals.
US District Judge Michael Seabright, a George W. Bush appointee, said Essayli has been unlawfully serving since July.
Judge Seabright did not dismiss Essayli’s indictments because they were signed by other attorneys for the government.
The judge, however, said Essayli remains the First Assistant US Attorney and may perform the function of that office.
“For the reasons stated, however, the court does not dismiss Defendants’ indictments, as they were lawfully signed by other attorneys for the government and there has been no showing of due process violations or other irregularities in Defendants’ prosecutions resulting from Essayli’s unlawful service as Acting United States Attorney. Moreover, Essayli remains the FAUSA and may perform the functions and duties of that office,” the judge wrote.
Bill Essayli responded to the judge’s ruling.
“For those who didn’t read the entire order, nothing is changing. I continue serving as the top federal prosecutor in the Central District of California. It ‘s an honor and privilege to serve President Trump and Attorney General Bondi, and I look forward to advancing their agenda for the American People,” Bill Essayli said.
For those who didn’t read the entire order, nothing is changing. I continue serving as the top federal prosecutor in the Central District of California. It ‘s an honor and privilege to serve President Trump and Attorney General Bondi, and I look forward to advancing their agenda… pic.twitter.com/0T7AILbLi1
— Acting U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli (@USAttyEssayli) October 29, 2025
This is the third time a federal judge has disqualified a Trump-appointed US Attorney.
Last month, a judge disqualified Sigal Chattah, President Trump’s Acting US Attorney in Nevada, and ruled her appointment invalid.
Earlier this year, President Trump appointed Sigal Chattah as the Interim US Attorney in Nevada. Shortly before her 120-day interim appointment expired, she resigned from the position and was reappointed as the Acting US Attorney for the District of Nevada.
Anti-Trump prosecutors immediately filed motions to disqualify Chattah, claiming this maneuver to leapfrog to an “Acting US Attorney” role was unlawful.
US District Judge David G. Campbell, a George W. Bush appointee, said in a 32-page ruling that Chattah is “improperly serving” in her role as Acting US Attorney.
Over the summer US District Judge Mathew Brann, an Obama appointee, said Alina Habba is “not lawfully holding the Office of US Attorney” of New Jersey.
The Pennsylvania-based federal judge oversaw a challenge to Alina Habba’s authority because the judges in New Jersey had a conflict of interest after they ousted her from her position as interim US Attorney last month.
Over the summer, a group of federal judges declined to extend Alina Habba’s term as interim US Attorney of New Jersey after Democrat Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries launched a pressure campaign to oust her.
Habba resigned as Interim US Attorney and became Acting US Attorney for New Jersey after the Trump DOJ outmaneuvered the judges before her term expired.
President Trump recently said he will be filing a lawsuit to prevent Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA) from blocking Alina Habba’s confirmation for US Attorney of New Jersey with the unconstitutional ‘blue slip’ custom.
