President Donald Trump appointed California State Assembly member Bill Essayli Monday as the United States Attorney for the Central District of California.
Since 2022, Essayli has represented Corona (District 63), a conservative patch of the California’s Inland Empire in Riverside County. The 39-year-old also formerly served the Riverside County District Attorney’s Office and United States Attorney’s Office in Los Angeles. He was the first Muslim ever elected to the state assembly.
In a post on X, Essayli wrote he “intend[s] 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.”
“This past election we added true fighters and I am confident they will continue the important work needed in the Legislature to make Republicans start winning in California,” he added.
Assemblyman Bill Essayli Accepts Appointment to be United States Attorney for the Central District of California
Assemblyman Bill Essayli has vacated his seat in the California State Assembly to accept the appointment to be the United States Attorney for the Central District of… pic.twitter.com/vHF3vnbBdB
— Bill Essayli (@billessayli) April 2, 2025
Essayli has made headlines in recent weeks after a bill he fronted beginning in 2023 requiring teachers and staff to notify parents if a student changes their gender identity at school when into effect Jan. 1.
The U.S. Department of Education said the policy may violate the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, a law allowing parents to access their child’s records. The Department says it could take away funding if it determines California’s school gender-identity law violates federal rules.
Essayli has also recently pushed to reverse state policy allowing transgender women to compete in women’s sports through AB 844, publicly messaging Gov. Gavin Newsom on X after his podcast interview with Charlie Kirk.
This is stunning. Talk is cheap @GavinNewsom. Why don’t you support my bill AB 844 to reverse CA’s law allowing boys to compete in girls sports? You’re the Governor, not a commentator! https://t.co/QgjwfcFgxv
— Bill Essayli (@billessayli) March 6, 2025
Essayli has already vacated his seat in the State Assembly. He requires confirmation by the Senate before formally starting his new appointment. It is unclear when that will take place.
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California serves seven counties, including Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, and Ventura comprising roughly 20 million people – the largest of any federal district in the country.
