In a significant legal development, a federal judge has ruled that President Trump’s selection for chief federal prosecutor in Los Angeles was occupying the position unlawfully, leading to his disqualification from several cases. U.S. District Judge J. Michael Seabright determined on Tuesday that Bill Essayli, who was serving as the acting U.S. Attorney for the Central District of California, was required to vacate the role by the end of July. This decision came as Essayli’s 120-day interim term had expired.

This ruling marks the third instance where a Trump appointee has been criticized for exceeding their term, highlighting the administration’s ongoing challenges with securing congressional confirmation for its nominees. This struggle has been particularly evident in the Senate, where Democrats have been vocally questioning the legality of continued appointments without proper approval.

Judge Seabright’s written decision was clear: “Simply stated: Essayli unlawfully assumed the role of Acting United States Attorney for the Central District of California.” Despite this ruling, the immediate impact of the judge’s order remains uncertain. Essayli was permitted to continue in his capacity as the first assistant U.S. attorney, effectively maintaining his status as the office’s top deputy.