Trump Administration Extends Essayli Term as Acting U.S. Attorney in Los Angeles, Applies Similar Tactics Across Key States

The Trump administration has used the Federal Vacancies Reform Act of 1998 to extend Bill Essayli's term as acting U.S. attorney for the Central District of California without Senate confirmation, allowing him to serve for up to two and a half years. This move bypasses the traditional Senate confirmation process after a local federal judicial panel declined to appoint a successor, enabling Essayli to remain in power amid significant controversy. Essayli, a staunch Trump ally and former California Assemblyman, has faced criticism for prosecutorial decisions, including dismissing charges in high-profile cases and allegedly directing prosecutions lacking evidence, leading to an exodus of prosecutors. This legal maneuver reflects a broader strategy by the Trump administration to entrench loyalists in key prosecutorial roles nationwide, including in New York, New Jersey, and Nevada, despite opposition from bipartisan panels and legal experts. The administration’s approach has raised constitutional and political concerns about the politicization of the justice system and the circumvention of Senate oversight. Supporters of the dismissed cases express relief, while critics accuse the administration of politically motivated interference in federal prosecutions.