Federal judge's order disqualifying Essayli from several cases is stayed pending appeal

Essayli remains in post while the Trump administration pursues an appeal

A federal judge disqualified Bill Essayli, the top federal prosecutor in Southern California, from overseeing several cases on Tuesday, 27 October 2026. The ruling is part of an ongoing legal fight over whether the Trump appointee has stayed in a temporary role longer than allowed by law.

The order was automatically stayed and will not take immediate effect, pending an appeal by the Trump administration. The stay leaves Essayli in his role for now while the appeal proceeds.

Essayli spoke to the media after a court hearing on 27 October 2026. In a statement, he said, “We respectfully disagree with the court’s order.”

Essayli said, “The President and the Attorney General have every right to select supervisors within the Justice Department.”

Essayli also said, “Ultimately, this question will be decided by the Supreme Court, and I look forward to serving in my current role until then.”