Chief U.S. District Judge Dolly M. Gee swore Essayli into his new job in a private ceremony Wednesday, April 2, according to a U.S. Department of Justice news release. His appointment “was made pursuant” to a federal law allowing the attorney general to appoint a U.S. attorney to fill a district vacancy, the release states.

Riverside County Assemblyman Bill Essayli has accepted an appointment to be the United States Attorney for California's Central District.

While presenting a bill on the last night of the session in 2023, Essayli received pushback from Assemblymember Alex Lee, a San Jose Democrat. Lee asked fellow Democrats to either oppose the bill or “lay off,” meaning to not vote. Essayli’s bill, at the final vote needed before proceeding to the governor, failed.