Posted on 10/28/2026 5:56:30 AM PDT by Red Badger
A federal judge on Tuesday disqualified Trump appointee Bill Essayli as the First Assistant US Attorney in California.
US District Judge John Seabright, a George W. Bush appointee, ruled that Bill Essayli unlawfully overstayed his 120-day temporary appointment.
Recall that Judge Seabright last October said that Bill Essayli had been in the role of an Acting US Attorney unlawfully and disqualified him.
President Trump chose California Republican Assemblyman Bill Essayli to serve as the acting US attorney for the Central District of California in 2025.
Bill Essayli is a staunch Trump supporter who has been aggressively investigating and prosecuting illegal aliens and criminals.
Last October, Judge Seabright said Bill Essayli has been unlawfully serving as Acting US Attorney, but allowed him to remain the First Assistant US Attorney and said he may perform the function of that office.
Essayli has been serving as the top prosecutor in the Central District of California, and he has been highly effective in carrying out President Trump's 'law and order' agenda (he was in court today fighting California on the 20,000 ballots mailed to non-citizens).
On Tuesday evening, Judge Seabright once again disqualified Bill Essayli - but he said the order disqualifying Essayli shall not take immediate effect.
Bill Essayli responded to the Judge's decision to disqualify him.
"We respectfully disagree with the court’s order. The President and the Attorney General have every right to select supervisors within the Justice Department. Importantly, today’s order is automatically stayed so the government can seek a full stay and maintain the status quo pending our appeal. Ultimately, this question will be decided by the Supreme Court, and I look forward to serving in my current role until then,” Bill Essayli said in a comment to Fox News.
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Courtesy of Judge Johnny Seabright, appointed by GWBUSH.
He had his instructions.
Another GWB disaster it seems.
Younger turtle Mitch clone?
The Senate won’t confirm these choices. It’s not like they voted against him; they just don’t vote at all.
What is the government supposed to do, leave these posts vacant?
If the Constitution says the Senate must consent to appointments, wouldn’t it be novel and fair for a judge to rule they must meet their Constitutional obligations and have a vote?
BLUE SLIP POLICY:
The blue slip policy is an uncodified Senate tradition used by the Senate Judiciary Committee to gather feedback from home-state senators on presidential nominees for federal district courts, circuit courts, and U.S. attorneys.
How It Works
• The Paper Form: The chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee sends a physical blue slip of paper to the two senators representing the home state of a judicial nominee.
• Approval or Opposition: Senators check a box to indicate whether they approve or disapprove of the nominee, or they can choose not to return the slip.
• Discretionary Power: The policy is not written into formal Senate rules. How much weight a negative or unreturned slip carries depends entirely on the chair of the Judiciary Committee.
Key Rules & Historical Shifts
• Circuit vs. District Courts: In 2017, the committee changed the policy so that circuit court nominees no longer require two positive blue slips to proceed to a hearing. However, the policy for U.S. district court nominees has traditionally maintained the requirement of home-state senator consultation and support, though enforcement varies by committee leadership.
• Historical Precedent: Originating in 1917 under Chairman Charles Culberson, the blue slip has historically functioned as an incentive for the White House to consult with home-state senators before making lifetime judicial appointments.
• The Debate: Critics argue the process is often used as a tool of political obstruction to stall or block qualified nominees, while supporters view it as an essential constitutional check to protect home-state representation and the “advice and consent” role of the Senate.
Detailed legislative overviews are available via the Library of Congress and Wikipedia.
•
Congress.gov
The Blue Slip Process for U.S. Circuit and District Court Nominations (1917-Present) | Congress.gov | Library of Congress
Origin: First used in 1917 (65th Congress) under Chairman Charles Culberson as a consultation form for U.S. circuit and district c...
•
Alliance for Justice
History of Blue Slips in the Senate - Alliance for Justice
The Senate’s blue slip policy allows home-state senators to signal their approval or disapproval of a judicial nominee appointed t...
•
Grassley.senate.gov
Q&A: Blue Slips
Q: What is the blue slip tradition in the U.S. Senate? A: The blue slip refers to a paper form, literally a blue piece of paper, t...
Show all
It’snot Bush” fault. The blue slip policy in the Senate means no judges in California who aren’t leftist hacks. A policy that has long passed its best before date
The judge is right. It’s a violation of law and statute. Blame John Thune and the disaster that is the modern U.S. Senate.
What can be done about these “cough, cough”, judges!
Congress can limit their purview, but they won’t..............
Was Jack Smith serving lawfully in his position?
But of course!. He’s a Democrat!.....................
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