"A federal judge Tuesday ruled that Bill Essayli is "not lawfully serving" in his position as acting U.S. attorney in Los Angeles, the latest rebuke of the Trump administration's unusual maneuvers to keep political allies in power as chief federal prosecutors across the country. Although the ruling disqualifies Essayli from continuing in the role of "acting" U.S. attorney, the judge said he can still remain in charge of the office as "first assistant," a lesser title he already holds."
""I'm still here, I'm not planning to go anywhere. We're still reviewing that order," Essayli said at a news conference Wednesday. "We're less concerned with titles and we're more concerned with the authority of my position to be able to run this office as the chief federal law enforcement officer of this district. I think the judge has made clear, regardless of my title, I have the authority to run this office.""
Senior U.S. District Judge J. Michael Seabright of Hawaii ruled that Bill Essayli is not lawfully serving as acting U.S. attorney in Los Angeles, disqualifying him from that title while allowing him to remain in charge as first assistant. Seabright was brought in after federal judges in Los Angeles recused themselves to oversee motions seeking Essayli's disqualification. Essayli, 39, a former Riverside County assemblyman, was appointed interim U.S. attorney for the region by U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi in April. Top U.S. attorneys are normally confirmed by the Senate or appointed interim by a panel of federal judges. The Trump administration bypassed that process to keep Essayli and others in place without Senate votes. Since taking office, Essayli has pursued President Trump's agenda, championing hard-line immigration enforcement in Southern California.
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