Judge Rules Trump’s California U.S. Attorney Has Been ‘Unlawfully Serving’

 

 

A federal judge has ruled that Bilal Essayli, President Donald Trump’s handpicked U.S. attorney for the Central District of California, has been unlawfully holding office since July — marking the third time in as many months a court has struck down one of Trump’s acting federal prosecutor appointments.

 

In a 64-page decision issued Tuesday, U.S. District Judge J. Michael Seabright said Essayli “may not perform the functions and duties of the United States Attorney” because his interim term expired and he was never confirmed by the Senate. The Central District — the nation’s largest federal jurisdiction — covers seven counties including Los Angeles, Orange, and Riverside.

 

“Essayli is disqualified from serving in that role,” Seabright wrote, though he declined to void the indictments and prosecutions Essayli oversaw, noting that other authorized government attorneys had signed the filings.

 

Essayli dismissed the ruling’s impact, writing on X: “Nothing is changing. I continue serving as the top federal prosecutor … It’s an honor to serve President Trump and Attorney General Bondi.”

 

The decision is the latest rebuke to Trump’s Justice Department, which has repeatedly tried to bypass the 120-day limit on interim U.S. attorney appointments. Similar rulings have hit Trump’s picks in Nevada and New Jersey, with another challenge pending next month against Virginia’s acting U.S. attorney Lindsey Halligan — who led recent prosecutions of former FBI Director James Comey and New York Attorney General Letitia James.

 

The White House did not respond to requests for comment.

 

Key Takeaways:

• Unlawful Service: Judge Seabright ruled Trump appointee Bilal Essayli cannot legally act as U.S. attorney in California.

• Pattern of Violations: Courts have already found Trump’s acting U.S. attorneys in Nevada and New Jersey unlawfully appointed.

• Political Fallout: Upcoming challenge targets Lindsey Halligan, who charged James Comey and Letitia James in high-profile Trump-era cases.

 

Source: NBC News

 

 

 

About times somebody in govt grew some balls!