Legal Limbo: Federal Judge Disqualifies Acting US Attorney

In a decisive move, a federal judge in Southern California has disqualified acting US Attorney Bill Essayli from several cases, citing an overextended tenure in the temporary position. This decision marks a significant setback for the Trump administration's approach to prolonging the tenure of acting US attorneys.

US District Judge J Michael Seabright granted the disqualification, aligning with defense lawyers, and emphasized that Essayli has served unlawfully since resigning from the interim role on July 29. Under federal statutory limits, acting US attorneys are legally bound to a 120-day tenure unless officially confirmed by the Senate.

This move follows similar rulings against acting US attorneys in states like Nevada and New Jersey. Although a judge recently paused a ruling against Nevada's acting US Attorney Sigal Chattah pending appeal, the appellate court is scrutinizing the government's extensions of these temporary appointments.