A federal judge has disqualified Bill Essayli, the top federal prosecutor in Southern California, from overseeing two criminal cases after finding that he is unlawfully serving as a "de facto" U.S.attorney.U.S.
District Judge J.Michael Seabright ruled Tuesday that Essayli cannot participate in or supervise the prosecutions in the two criminal cases.However, the disqualification will not take effect immediately, giving the Justice Department time to seek a stay pending appeal."We respectfully disagree with the court's order," Essayli said in a statement provided to Fox News.APPEALS COURT RULES TRUMP ADMIN UNLAWFULLY APPOINTED NEVADA'S TOP FEDERAL PROSECUTORFirst Assistant United States Attorney for the Central District of California Bill Essayli speaks as U.S.
and Canadian law enforcement officials announce federal charges and arrests of alleged members of a transnational organized crime group at FBI offices in Los Angeles, Calif., on July 7, 2026.(REUTERS)"The President and the Attorney General have every right to select supervisors within the Justice Department," Essayli continued, adding that "ultimately, this question will be decided by the Supreme Court, and I look forward to serving in my current role until then."Essayli originally served as interim U.S.
attorney under an appointment that expired after 120 days.Then-Attorney General Pam Bondi subsequently appointed him as a special attorney and designated him first assistant U.S.
attorney.He was never formally nominated by the president or confirmed by the U.S.
Senate.Seabright previously found that the arrangement did not lawfully make Essayli acting U.S.attorney but allowed him to continue supervising prosecutions under his other titles.BLANCHE SURVIVES REPUBLICAN DEFECTORS AS TRUMP GETS HIS NEW ATTORNEY GENERALThe First Assistant U.S.
Attorney for the Central District of California, Bill Essayli answers questions during a news conference outside the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department in Rancho ...