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A federal judge has disqualified Bill Essayli, the top federal prosecutor in Southern California , from overseeing two criminal cases after finding that he is unlawfully serving as a "de facto" U.S. attorney.

U.S. District Judge J. Michael Seabright ruled Tuesday that Essayli cannot participate in or supervise the prosecutions in the two criminal cases.

However, the disqualification will not take effect immediately, giving the Justice Department time to seek a stay pending appeal.

"We respectfully disagree with the court's order," Essayli said in a statement provided to Fox News.

APPEALS COURT RULES TRUMP ADMIN UNLAWFULLY APPOINTED NEVADA'S TOP FEDERAL PROSECUTOR

First Assistant United States Attorney for the Central District of California Bill Essayli speaks as U.S. and Canadian law enforcement officials announce federal charges and arrests of alleged members of a transnational organized crime group at FBI offices in Los Angeles, Calif., on July 7, 2026.…