Judge rules L.A. federal prosecutor Bill Essayli unlawfully serving, bars him from two cases

Key points

• Senior U.S. District Judge J. Michael Seabright ruled that Essayli is a 'de facto' U.S. Attorney, violating appointment laws.
• The judge barred Essayli from overseeing cases against Jaime Hector Ramirez and Tu Anh Tran but did not dismiss the indictments.
• The ruling is stayed while the Justice Department seeks a stay pending appeal, with Essayli stating he will continue serving until the Supreme Court decides.
• The decision follows a 9th Circuit Court of Appeals ruling against a similar arrangement for Nevada prosecutor Sigal Chattah.

Background

This dispute is part of a broader national conflict over the Trump administration’s efforts to install loyalist prosecutors without Senate confirmation. Previous cases in New Jersey and Virginia saw similar appointments challenged and overturned. Essayli, a former California state legislator, was sworn in as interim U.S. Attorney in April 2025 and later re-designated as a special attorney and first assistant to bypass the 120-day interim limit. He has pursued aggressive cases against protesters and immigrants while dropping cases involving administration allies.

How outlets are covering it

The Los Angeles Times and The Guardian emphasize the constitutional violation and the failure of the Justice Department’s revised delegation strategy, noting that withholding specific statutory powers did not change the legal reality. MyNewsLA.com highlights the specific charges in the two affected cases. Essayli’s office disputes the ruling, asserting the President and Attorney General have the right to select supervisors, and expects the Supreme Court to resolve the issue. Defense attorney H. Dean Steward called the ruling a victory for the rule of law, criticizing the administration for installing 'minions' as chief prosecutors.

Why it matters

The ruling sets a precedent for challenging unconfirmed federal appointments and impacts the integrity of ongoing criminal prosecutions in Southern California. It highlights the tension between executive authority and constitutional appointment requirements, potentially affecting other unconfirmed prosecutors nationwide.

What to watch

The Justice Department has five business days to request a stay pending appeal. If denied, the disqualifications will take effect one week later. The Supreme Court has not yet decided whether to review the related 9th Circuit decision regarding Nevada’s prosecutor.