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By Jenna Sundel
News Reporter
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A federal judge ruled that a prosecutor appointed by President Donald Trump was serving illegally in a ruling filed Tuesday.
U.S. District Judge J. Michael Seabright of the Central District of California said Bilal A. Essayli “is not lawfully serving” as acting U.S. attorney for the Central District of California. Seabright said.
Why It Matters
Essayli is the third U.S. attorney appointed by Trump found to be serving in violation of the law. Appointees placed in an acting position are limited to a term of 120 days under the law. A permanent appointment would require confirmation by the Senate.
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Bilal A. Essayli
Essayli was appointed as interim U.S. attorney by Attorney General Pam Bondi on March 27. His term was limited to 120 days under the law.
Essayli assumed the position on April 2, which meant his term would have expired on July 31.
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Two days before Essayli’s term expired, Bondi issued an order to appoint Essayli as a special attorney and designate him as first assistant U.S. attorney, allowing him to serve as acting U.S. attorney if there is a vacancy in the office. Essayli resigned and accepted the new position that same day.
“Essayli’s service as Acting United States Attorney cannot be premised on his resignation from the interim role,” Seabright wrote.
The ruling allows Essayli to continue serving as first assistant U.S. attorney, but he cannot act as an acting U.S attorney.
Sigal Chattah
Sigal Chattah was serving as an acting U.S. attorney in Nevada.
U.S. District Judge David G. Campbell ruled in September that Chattah’s term had expired in July.
“The procedure used by the government to appoint Ms. Chattah was never intended by Congress,” Campbell wrote.
Campbell paused his ruling last week while a federal appellate court considers an appeal from the U.S. Department of Justice.
Alina Habba
Alina Habba was serving as interim U.S. attorney in New Jersey.
“Faced with the question of whether Ms. Habba is lawfully performing the functions and duties of the office of the United States Attorney for the District of New Jersey, I conclude that she is not,” Chief U.S. District Judge Matthew Brann wrote.
Brann said Habba continued serving in her position after her term was set to expire in July.
Federal judges in New Jersey had replaced Habba with another prosecutor at the end of her interim term, but Bondi fired that prosecutor and renamed Habba as acting U.S. attorney.
Bondi said on social media that Habba was “doing incredible work in New Jersey — and we will protect her position from activist judicial attacks.”
An appellate court heard arguments on Monday regarding Habba’s appointment.
What People Are Saying
First Assistant U.S. Attorney Bilal Essayli wrote on X: “For those who didn’t read the entire order, nothing is changing. I continue serving as the top federal prosecutor in the Central District of California. It’s an honor and privilege to serve President Trump and Attorney General Bondi, and I look forward to advancing their agenda for the American People.”
U.S. District Judge J. Michael Seabright said in an order: “Simply stated: Essayli unlawfully assumed the role of Acting United States Attorney for the Central District of California. He has been unlawfully serving in that capacity since his resignation from the interim role on July 29, 2025. Essayli may not perform the functions and duties of the United States Attorney as Acting United States Attorney. He is disqualified from serving in that role.”
What Happens Next
Appellate courts are currently reviewing orders that ruled Habba and Chattah were serving illegally.
This article includes reporting by the Associated Press.
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