Bill Essayli Sues California to Block 20,000 Ballots

Interim U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli has sued the state of California to block the counting of ballots from approximately 20,000 individuals. The United States Department of Justice claims these voters are likely noncitizens, though state election officials argue the data is unreliable and the request is logistically impossible.

Essayli, appointed by Donald Trump to implement administration priorities, has faced increasing legal scrutiny for pursuing cases against immigrants, transgender athletes, and protesters. Federal judges have accused his office of acting in bad faith and violating civil rights, resulting in the collapse of several high-profile prosecutions due to mistaken identity or lack of evidence.

A federal judge recently ruled that Essayli is serving as a de facto United States attorney without the required Senate confirmation. This ruling has led to his disqualification from overseeing specific cases, further complicating his legal standing as he attempts to influence the midterm election results.