Trump Taps Assemblyman Bill Essayli For US Attorney, Central CA Role

CORONA, CA — California Assemblyman Bill Essayli has been appointed as United States Attorney for the Central District of California by President Donald Trump, his office announced Tuesday evening.

"I am honored that President Trump and Attorney General (Pamela) Bondi have placed their trust in me to serve as United States Attorney for the Central District of California," Essayli (R-Norco), said in a statement.

"I intend to implement the president's mission to restore trust in our justice system and pursue those who dare to cause harm to the United States and the people of our nation."

Essayli resigned from the Assembly in a letter to the Assembly Speaker, Robert Rivas, sent Tuesday evening. He was slated to begin his new role Wednesday, Politico reported. The former U.S. Attorney for the Central District of California in Los Angeles, Martin Estrada, resigned from that office on Jan. 17, ahead of Trump's inauguration. Joseph T. McNally served as the Acting United States Attorney for the Central District of California until the president's announcement.

The position still requires Senate confirmation.

Before being elected to the California State Assembly in 2022, Essayli served as a Riverside County deputy district attorney and assistant U.S. Attorney. Most recently, he was a prominent voice at President Trump's recent visit to Pacific Palisades. Shawn Lewis, Essayli's chief of staff in the Assembly, wrote on social media that Trump asked Essayli for his business card on Jan. 24 at that meeting, saying, "@POTUS just asked my boss @BillEssayli for his business card. We are so back.

The United States Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California serves the seven counties of Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara and Ventura. According to the Justice Department website, the district oversees a population of nearly 20 million people — the largest of any federal judicial district in the country.

"The role of the Office is to enforce the laws and defend the interests of the United States. It does so through three primary litigating Divisions: Criminal, National Security, and Civil," the site says.

According to Politico, Essayli has served the conservatives of Inland Empire, focusing on issues related to gender, school boards and "parental notification." His most recent bill focused on sports teams and the participation transgender girls, "echoing the Trump administration's interpretation of Title IX."

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