Federal judge rules top US prosecutor in Los Angeles isn’t legally serving

LOS ANGELES (AP) – A federal judge ruled Tuesday that Republican Bill Essayli is not legally serving as the top U.S.

Key points

• Essayli "is unlawfully serving as a 'de facto' United States Attorney, " U.S.
• The ruling is the latest roadblock to the Trump administration's effort to extend handpicked acting U.S.
• The order won't take effect until the court rules on the government's motion for a stay pending appeal.
• "Ultimately, this question will be decided by the Supreme Court, and I look forward to serving in my current role until then, " he remarked in an official note.

Meanwhile, 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 backing.

Essayli "is unlawfully serving as a 'de facto' United States Attorney, " U.S. District Judge J. Michael Seabright wrote.

Meanwhile, the order won't take effect until the court rules on the government's motion for a stay pending appeal. Essayli remarked he doesn't agree with the court's order. He remarked the president and Attorney General "have every right to select supervisors within the Justice Department."

Taken together, the developments around federal judge rules top US prosecutor in Los Angeles isnt legally serving point to a situation that is still moving, and the coming days should bring more clarity.