Defense Lawyers Try Again to Remove Senior Federal Prosecutor in Los Angeles

Criminal defendants seeking to oust Bill Essayli say a federal judge failed to rule on their constitutional arguments.

Acting U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli speaks next to Los Angeles Police Chief Jim McDonnell during a news conference announcing an arrest made in relation to the Palisades Fire in Los Angeles on Oct. 8, 2025. Damian Dovarganes/AP Photo

Attorneys for criminal defendants facing weapons charges have filed for a second time to disqualify a Trump administration appointee as the top federal prosecutor in Los Angeles.

The new motion filed on Nov. 10 comes after Judge Michael Seabright of the U.S. District Court for the District of Hawaii ruled on Oct. 28 that Bilal “Bill” Essayli was unlawfully installed as acting U.S. attorney for the Central District of California, but Seabright declined to dismiss indictments against three criminal defendants who asked for Essayli to be removed from his post.