Judge bars Essayli from two cases, ruling his de facto role unlawful

Key points

• Judge J. Michael Seabright ruled that Essayli is unlawfully serving as a 'de facto' U.S. Attorney in the Central District of California.
• Essayli is barred from overseeing two specific criminal cases, but the order is stayed while the government seeks a stay pending appeal.
• The ruling follows a Ninth Circuit decision that invalidated a similar appointment for Nevada prosecutor Sigal Chattah.
• The Trump administration attempted to circumvent the 120-day limit for acting attorneys by reassigning Essayli as First Assistant U.S. Attorney.
• Essayli and the Justice Department plan to appeal, with Essayli stating the issue will ultimately be decided by the Supreme Court.

Background

This ruling is part of a broader legal battle over the Trump administration's efforts to install handpicked acting U.S. attorneys beyond the 120-day limit set by federal law. Previous challenges have resulted in the disqualification of acting attorneys in New Jersey and New York. Essayli, a former Republican state legislator, was appointed in April 2025 and has been a key figure in the administration's legal disputes with California regarding immigration and election integrity.

How outlets are covering it

AP News and The Guardian emphasize the legal violation of bypassing Senate confirmation and the 'unlawful' nature of Essayli's service. Fox News focuses on Essayli's defense of the Justice Department's actions and his stance on election integrity, noting the stay pending appeal. The Los Angeles Times provides detailed legal analysis, highlighting Judge Seabright's rejection of the administration's revised delegation of authority as a meaningless distinction from the Nevada case. All sources agree on the core facts but differ in emphasis, with The Guardian and LA Times framing it as a victory for the rule of law, while Fox News presents it as a procedural hurdle in a broader fight for election integrity.

Why it matters

The ruling sets a precedent for the legality of the administration's strategy to install unconfirmed prosecutors. If upheld, it could lead to the disqualification of other acting U.S. attorneys and the dismissal of cases they have overseen, significantly impacting the administration's legal agenda in California and potentially nationwide.

What to watch

The Justice Department has five business days to seek a stay pending appeal. If denied, the disqualifications will take effect one week later. The case is expected to be appealed to the Ninth Circuit and potentially the Supreme Court, which has not yet decided whether to review the Nevada case.