Politics · United States · 4 hrs ago
Judge bars Bill Essayli from overseeing two California criminal cases
A federal judge ruled Bill Essayli is unlawfully serving as Southern California’s top federal prosecutor.
The ruling bars Essayli from participating in or supervising two criminal prosecutions in California.
Essayli first served as interim US attorney, but his appointment ended and he was never formally nominated by the president or confirmed by the Senate.
The administration later gave him other Justice Department titles, but Judge Michael Seabright said those roles still let him effectively occupy the US attorney post.
The ruling will not take effect immediately, giving the Justice Department time to seek a pause while it appeals.
Essayli said he disagrees and expects the issue to be decided by the Supreme Court.
The decision comes as Essayli is also involved in a federal effort to set aside ballots linked to California voters the administration says may be noncitizens; a judge is due to rule on that request.
A federal judge disqualified Bill Essayli from overseeing two criminal cases, ruling that he was unlawfully serving as a de facto U.S. attorney.
The order says Essayli cannot participate in or supervise the prosecutions.
The disqualification will not take effect immediately, giving the Justice Department time to seek a stay while it appeals.
Essayli said he disagrees with the ruling and argued that the president and attorney general can select Justice Department supervisors.
The ruling followed a legal challenge to the Trump administration’s efforts to keep Essayli in the role without Senate confirmation.
- Who
- Bill Essayli, the top federal prosecutor in Southern California, was disqualified by U.S. District Judge Michael Seabright.
- What
- Essayli was barred from participating in or supervising two criminal prosecutions. The order is delayed while the Justice Department pursues an appeal.
- When
- Tuesday, October 27, 2026.
- Where
- The Central District of California.
- Why
- The judge ruled that Essayli’s designations still gave him enough authority to effectively occupy the vacant U.S. attorney position, despite not being formally nominated or confirmed.
Bill Essayli and the Trump administration
H Dean Steward and the challengers to Essayli’s appointment
Legality of the appointment
Bill Essayli and the Trump administration
Essayli said the president and attorney general have the right to select supervisors within the Justice Department.
H Dean Steward and the challengers to Essayli’s appointment
Steward said the administration ignored laws governing the appointment of U.S. attorneys.
Effect of the designations
Bill Essayli and the Trump administration
The administration assigned Essayli special attorney and first assistant roles; Essayli said he expects the issue to be decided by the Supreme Court.
H Dean Steward and the challengers to Essayli’s appointment
The judge ruled those designations still made Essayli a de facto U.S. attorney, so he could not oversee the two prosecutions.
Essayli became an interim U.S. attorney.
The administration assigned Essayli acting and then first assistant roles.
A federal appellate court ruled against a similar arrangement involving a Nevada Justice Department leader.
Seabright ruled that Essayli was unlawfully serving and disqualified him from overseeing two prosecutions.
The order was delayed to give the Justice Department time to seek a stay while appealing.
- Judge
- Michael Seabright
- Prosecutor
- Bill Essayli
- Cases affected
- Two criminal prosecutions
- Current designation
- Special attorney and first assistant U.S. attorney
- Appointment status
- Not formally nominated by the president or confirmed by the U.S. Senate
2 sources
What people are saying
We respectfully disagree with the court's order,
The President and the Attorney General have every right to select supervisors within the Justice Department.
a victory for the rule of law and the US constitution
In sum, Essayli is unlawfully serving as a 'de facto' United States Attorney,