Federal Judge Disqualifies Bill Essayli as Acting U.S. Attorney in Los Angeles

A federal judge has disqualified Bill Essayli from serving as the acting U.S. Attorney for the Central District of California, ruling that his appointment violated federal law. Judge J. Michael Seabright determined that Essayli had been unlawfully serving in the role since July 29, 2025, when he transitioned from interim U.S. Attorney to acting U.S. Attorney.

"Simply stated: Essayli unlawfully assumed the role of Acting United States Attorney for the Central District of California. He has been unlawfully serving in that capacity since his resignation from the interim role on July 29, 2025," Seabright wrote.

Despite this ruling, Judge Seabright allowed Essayli to continue serving as the first assistant U.S. attorney, a position that does not require Senate confirmation. The judge also declined to dismiss indictments in three cases where defense attorneys had challenged Essayli's authority, noting that other prosecutors had lawfully signed the indictments and that Essayli's involvement did not appear to have caused due process violations.

This decision is part of a broader pattern of judicial challenges to the Trump administration's appointments of acting U.S. attorneys without Senate confirmation. Similar rulings have occurred in New Jersey and Nevada, where courts found that acting U.S. attorneys were not validly serving in their roles.

The Department of Justice has argued that Essayli's appointment was valid under the Federal Vacancies Reform Act, which allows certain officials to temporarily perform the duties of vacant positions requiring Senate confirmation. However, Judge Seabright's ruling underscores the judiciary's increasing scrutiny of such appointments.

As of now, the Department of Justice has not announced whether it will appeal the decision. Essayli's office has not issued a public statement regarding the ruling.