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2d ago

Judge Disqualifies L.A. Acting U.S. Attorney, Finds Essayli Unlawfully Serving

The decision deepens judicial scrutiny of the administration’s maneuvers to extend acting appointments beyond statutory limits.

Bilal A. "Bill" Essayli, United States Attorney for the Central District of California, speaks during a press conference at the FBI Los Angeles Field Office Federal Building, in Los Angeles, California, U.S., June 11, 2025. REUTERS/Aude Guerrucci
Attorney General Pam Bondi speaks as President Donald Trump listens during a roundtable on criminal cartels in the State Dining Room of the White House on Oct. 23, 2025, in Washington, as both face mounting scrutiny over disputed federal prosecutor appointments nationwide.
Acting U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli gestures as Los Angeles Police Department Chief Jim McDonnell (R) looks on at a press conference announcing an arrest in the Palisades Fire investigation on October 08, 2025 in Los Angeles, California.

Overview

  • U.S. District Judge J. Michael Seabright ruled that Bilal Essayli unlawfully assumed the acting U.S. attorney post after resigning from his 120-day interim appointment on July 29.
  • The court disqualified him from the acting role and from supervising three gun prosecutions, but declined to dismiss the indictments because other prosecutors lawfully signed them.
  • Seabright said Essayli remains the office’s First Assistant U.S. Attorney and may perform that job’s duties, following Justice Department arguments about his first‑assistant and special‑attorney designations.
  • The Central District of California serves roughly 19 million people, and Reuters reports the ruling could create a leadership vacuum if upheld on appeal.
  • Similar rulings have targeted Trump-appointed prosecutors Alina Habba in New Jersey and Sigal Chattah in Nevada, with those decisions under appellate review and one stayed.