Judge rules Bill Essayli is unlawfully serving as Los Angeles's top federal prosecutor
The order bars Essayli from two criminal cases but is on hold while the court weighs a stay for appeal. He says the Supreme Court will decide.
A federal judge ruled Tuesday that Bill Essayli, a Republican and former California state lawmaker, is not lawfully holding the job of top federal prosecutor in Los Angeles. U.S. District Judge J. Michael Seabright wrote that Essayli is serving as a "de facto" United .
Essayli oversees federal prosecutors in the Central District of California. He took the post on an interim basis in April 2025 and was never confirmed by the . Federal law caps such temporary service at 120 days.
The administration then gave him other titles, including first assistant U.S. attorney. Seabright cited an August ruling by the 9th U.S. Circuit , which found Sigal Chattah's appointment in Nevada unlawful. He said a revised designation from Todd Blanche did not change the outcome.
According to the Guardian and Fox News, the order bars Essayli from supervising two criminal cases. It does not take effect until the court rules on a government request to pause it during an appeal. Essayli said he disagrees, said the president and attorney general may choose supervisors, and said the will decide.
Judges have also ruled against other interim prosecutors, including Alina Habba and John Sarcone.
Three sides of the story
Liberal4 outlets
Left-leaning outlets place the ruling in a pattern of court losses for the administration's temporary U.S. attorneys. ABC News and The Independent list Alina Habba, John Sarcone and, in the Independent's account, Lindsey Halligan. They describe the administration's use of temporary appointments, extended past the 120-day limit, as a way to bypass Senate confirmation.
The Independent and the Guardian quote defense lawyer H Dean Steward, who called the ruling a 'victory for the rule of law' and said the administration 'got caught.' The Guardian and ABC describe Essayli's record on immigration, protesters and his push over ballots of suspected noncitizens, which California officials oppose. MS NOW looks ahead to the Supreme Court. It reports the 's warning that lower court rulings 'upend a quarter-century of practice,' notes Seabright is a George W. Bush appointee, and cites a New York Times list of prosecutors it says carry out Trump's 'grievance agenda.' All four include Essayli's statement that the Supreme Court will decide.
- The Independent (US): Another top Trump prosecutor has been serving in role unlawfully, judge rules
- ABC News: Federal judge rules top US prosecutor in Los Angeles isn't legally serving
- The Guardian (US): Federal judge disqualifies Trump-appointed prosecutor for ‘unlawfully serving’ in role
- MS NOW: Judge says Trump prosecutor in LA is ‘unlawfully serving’ in latest hit to Trump’s DOJ
Center1 outlet
The Hill reports that a federal judge, U.S. District Judge J. Michael Seabright, ruled Tuesday that Bill Essayli is serving unlawfully as Los Angeles's top prosecutor. It describes Essayli as First Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Central District of California and a former California State Assembly member.
Conservative1 outlet
Fox News reports the ruling in procedural terms: Seabright disqualified Essayli from two criminal cases, but the order is delayed so the Justice Department can seek a stay pending appeal. It sets out Essayli's titles, from interim U.S. attorney to special attorney and first assistant, and notes Blanche narrowed his authority after the Nevada ruling. Fox quotes Essayli's statement, in which he says the president and attorney general 'have every right' to choose Justice Department supervisors.
It also quotes his brief answer to reporters that the Supreme Court will decide the case. Fox links the ruling to Essayli's role in the Justice Department's effort concerning more than 20,000 California registered voters the administration says are likely noncitizens. It quotes his remarks at a news conference that the case is on the 'forefront' of the fight for 'election integrity.' It adds that Judge David O. Carter planned to rule Wednesday on the ballot request.
Which side made the stronger case?
All sources: 6 articles from 6 outlets
Liberal (4)
- ABC News: Federal judge rules top US prosecutor in Los Angeles isn't legally serving
- MS NOW: Judge says Trump prosecutor in LA is ‘unlawfully serving’ in latest hit to Trump’s DOJ
- The Guardian (US): Federal judge disqualifies Trump-appointed prosecutor for ‘unlawfully serving’ in role
- The Independent (US): Another top Trump prosecutor has been serving in role unlawfully, judge rules
Center (1)
Conservative (1)
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