Trump-appointed acting US attorney disqualified from cases for ‘unlawfully serving’, rules judge

US District Judge J. Michael Seabright disqualified acting US attorney Bill Essayli from supervising prosecutions in three cases in the Central District of California, ruling he has served beyond the 120-day limit and has been unlawfully acting since resigning his interim post on July 29, 2025. The court found his authority lapsed in July. The decision adds to setbacks for the Trump administration’s bid to extend acting appointments, following rulings against Nevada’s Sigal Chattah and New Jersey’s Alina Habba. Appeals are pending, with a pause allowing Chattah to remain temporarily involved. Essayli has not been confirmed by the Senate.

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