Free Republic

A federal judge ruled Tuesday that Republican Bill Essayli is not legally serving as the top U.S. prosecutor in Los Angeles. The ruling is the latest roadblock to the Trump administration’s effort to extend handpicked acting U.S. attorneys beyond the 120-day limit set by federal law. The strategy was designed to bypass confirmation by the U.S. Senate — something that generally requires a degree of bipartisan support. Essayli “is unlawfully serving as a ‘de facto’ United States Attorney,” U.S. District Judge J. Michael Seabright wrote. The order won’t take effect until the court rules on the government’s motion for a...

A taxpayer-funded California “Peace Ambassador” is a convicted murderer now being charged with another felony, authorities said Friday. Michael Angel Alvarez, nicknamed “Diablo,” was arrested Friday for allegedly possessing body armor as a violent felon belonging to the 18th Street gang, the Department of Justice (DOJ) announced. Alvarez worked for Healing Urban Barrios, an organization performing paid “violence prevention” services for the city of Los Angeles’ “Peace Ambassador” program, according to the DOJ. The Daily Caller News Foundation could not identify an attorney for Alvarez. Healing Urban Barrios did not respond to a request for comment. Los Angeles’ Peace Ambassador...

Authorities have arrested a 29-year-old Uber driver in connection to the investigation into the deadly January Palisades Fire. Jonathan Rinderknecht, of Melbourne, Florida, was arrested Tuesday near his home on suspicion of destruction of property by means of fire. If convicted as charged, Rinderknecht faces a mandatory minimum sentence of five years and up to 20 years in federal prison. "He is charged with starting a fire on Jan. 1," Acting U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli said. "It did take a week to reignite, but he is charged with starting the Palisades Fire." The criminal complaint covers the damages and death...