Newsom foe picked by Trump for U.S. attorney vows to ‘dismantle’ sanctuary state shields

Republican California Assemblyman Bill Essayli has been tapped by President Donald Trump to head up a team of prosecutors for the nation’s largest federal district court by population. In an interview with Fox News Digital, Essayli expressed his excitement to implement the vision and mission of the Department of Justice. He emphasized the need to restore trust in law enforcement agencies and the Department of Justice, which he believes have been weaponized and politicized in recent years.

Essayli, known for his clashes with Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom, is committed to restoring law and order in his new role as U.S. attorney for the Central District of California. He plans to target transnational organizations designated as terrorist organizations by the president, as well as criminal illegal immigration. Additionally, Essayli pledged to dismantle California’s sanctuary state status for illegal immigrants, setting up a potential showdown with Newsom, who has allocated a $50 million legal fund to protect illegal immigrants in the state.

As U.S. attorney, Essayli intends to tackle public corruption, noting a lack of robust cases and investigations in this area. Despite his history of opposition to Newsom’s policies, Essayli revealed that the governor had not reached out to him since his appointment. He plans to work closely with the Trump Justice Department and Attorney General Pam Bondi to develop a plan to address sanctuary state protections for illegal immigrants.

In a recent move, Essayli introduced Assembly Bill 844 to reverse California’s existing law allowing biological males to participate in girls’ and women’s sports teams based on their gender identity. The bill was rejected along party lines, prompting Essayli to resign from his post as assemblyman to accept the federal position. He was sworn into the country’s largest attorney’s office outside of Washington, D.C., where he will serve the residents of Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, Ventura, Santa Barbara, and San Luis Obispo counties.

Essayli’s nomination as U.S. attorney is pending Senate confirmation. His background as a federal prosecutor, deputy district attorney, and associate attorney equips him to handle high-profile cases and contribute to restoring trust and integrity in the justice system. As he takes on this new role, Essayli remains focused on upholding the rule of law and ensuring justice for all residents of the Central District of California.