TAKE ACTION: Stop Essayli's Confirmation by the US Senate

Bill Essayli’s confirmation would hand sweeping federal prosecutorial power to someone who has publicly downplayed anti-Muslim policies and aligned himself with political movements that have routinely targeted Muslim Americans. While he identifies as Muslim by heritage, his record reflects a pattern of enabling Islamophobic narratives and defending discriminatory government actions.

Most notably, in a 2024 interview with the Washington Examiner, Essayli dismissed the Trump administration’s travel ban targeting Muslim-majority countries, saying: "It was totally hyped up by the media and misrepresented what it actually was." He further downplayed its harm by comparing it to civilian casualties in the Middle East, implying the outrage over the ban was disproportionate. This kind of rhetoric reflects a broader pattern of framing Muslim-related policies in national security terms, while minimizing the lived impact on Muslim communities.

As interim U.S. Attorney, Essayli has already used the power of federal prosecution in politically charged ways, including filing felony charges against SEIU President David Huerta for “conspiracy to impede an officer,” a case widely seen as retaliatory.

In the hands of someone with a track record of excusing discriminatory policies and aligning with far-right narratives, the risk to Muslim and immigrant communities is serious. Federal prosecutors have enormous discretion — and historically, Muslim communities have faced surveillance, selective prosecution, and entrapment when that power is abused.

On the blue slip precedent: Democratic senators have successfully blocked multiple Trump-era confirmations by withholding blue slips. In 2025, Senator Chuck Schumer blocked Jay Clayton and Joseph Nocella Jr. in New York, and Judiciary Chair Chuck Grassley upheld the tradition by halting both confirmations.

About the Campaign

The Stop Essayli effort has built a highly visible communications program:

• Launched StopEssayli.org as a central hub for petitions, email campaigns, and public education
• Published investigative research documenting Essayli’s abuses as both Assemblymember and interim U.S. Attorney
• Secured statewide media coverage in The Press-Enterprise and POLITICO (with additional stories forthcoming in Knock LA and The Intercept)
• Built a coalition including the California Young Democrats, Riverside County Democratic Party, Our Schools USA, and immigrant rights advocates

We have mobilized Californians to take over 400 direct advocacy actions

In just the first weeks of the campaign, supporters have:

• Sent over 400 emails to Senators Padilla and Schiff
• Signed and shared petitions opposing confirmation
• Called Senate offices to deliver constituent pressure
• Submitted letters to the editor across local outlets

Our outreach has delivered over 30,000 texts and emails to likely voters across California’s Central District

Stop Essayli is scaling up fast — and your support will directly expand our reach.