Riverside County Democratic Party Calls on Senators Padilla and Schiff to Block Bill Essayli’s Confirmation

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CA – 6/9/25 – The Riverside County Democratic Party today formally called on California Senators Alex Padilla and Adam Schiff to withhold their “blue slips” and commit to denying confirmation of Bill Essayli to a full term as an U.S. Attorney for California’s Central District.

Essayli, who previously represented parts of Riverside County in the State Assembly, has consistently aligned himself with extremist movements.

“Essayli’s record is unmistakably dangerous,” said RCDP Chair Joy Silver. “From aggressively pushing anti-LGBTQ+ legislation to undermining immigrant rights through his ‘Operation Guardian Angel,’ Essayli has made it clear that his agenda serves extremist partisan interests, not justice. His recent role in prosecuting labor leader David Huerta demonstrates once again his willingness to weaponize federal authority to persecute his political enemies.

The call by the RCDP aligns with the growing “Stop Essayli” Campaign, led by a former constituent of Essayli, Norco resident Jacob Daruvala. The campaign has already seen hundreds of community members take action through the platform StopEssayli.org.

“The urgency can’t be overstated,” said Jacob Daruvala, Campaign Director. “Essayli’s abuse of power underscores that he is unfit to serve.” 

Essayli once represented the 63rd Assembly District, where his appointment as U.S. Attorney has triggered a special primary election on June 24th, and a special general election on August 26th. RCDP has endorsed local teacher Chris Shoults for the position. 

The Riverside County Democratic Party encourages all residents to join the campaign and take immediate action by visiting StopEssayli.org.

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Joy Silver
RCDP Chair
(760) 844-5577
[email protected]

Jacob Daruvala
Campaign Director
Stop Essayli
[email protected]
StopEssayli.org

Community Leaders Launch Urgent Campaign to Block Bill Essayli’s Confirmation as U.S. Attorney

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

INLAND EMPIRE, CA – 6/4/2025 – Today, local leaders and advocates announced the launch of the Stop Essayli Campaign, urging Senators Alex Padilla and Adam Schiff to use their “blue slip” veto authority to prevent Bill Essayli’s confirmation as U.S. Attorney for California’s Central District.

Bill Essayli, who previously served as a California Assemblymember representing Riverside and Corona, has a well-documented record of aligning himself with extremist, far-right movements. Throughout his legislative tenure, Essayli pushed divisive and harmful legislation targeting LGBTQ youth and immigrant communities, while embarrassing himself on the assembly floor with inflammatory rhetoric and disruptive conduct. His recent appointment as interim U.S. Attorney by the Trump Administration has already raised alarms, notably through his unprecedented intervention to reverse the felony conviction of an L.A. County sheriff’s deputy convicted of excessive force, resulting in resignations from senior federal prosecutors.

“Bill Essayli represents a clear danger to the impartial administration of justice,” said Jacob Daruvala, organizer of the campaign. “He has openly embraced extremist causes, defended January 6 insurrectionists, and demonstrated he will abuse his position for partisan ends. We call on Senators Padilla and Schiff to protect California communities by blocking his confirmation.”

The campaign emphasizes the “blue slip” tradition in the Senate, which allows home-state senators to effectively veto federal prosecutor nominees who present substantial concerns, such as Bill Essayli. Senator Chuck Schumer recently utilized this procedural tool to block two U.S. Attorney nominees in New York.

Kristi Hirst, Co-founder of Our Schools USA, said, “Bill Essayli spent his short career in the Legislature with a singular agenda: to attack the students and families he was supposed to serve. He is laser focused on pushing Trump’s agenda, not seeking justice. We need people who will fight for America’s families, not attack them.”

Local immigrant rights advocate Alan Vargas said, “Essayli’s so-called ‘Operation Guardian Angel’ has already terrorized immigrant families in the Inland Empire. He used federal power to target working people because of their immigration status, ripping parents away from children. Confirming him would double down on this injustice. We need our Senators to stand with immigrant communities and refuse to enable his extremist agenda.”

“As a parent with an LGBTQ child, I am horrified by Essayli’s antics at school board meetings—pushing parents to turn children against their own identities,” said Tami Friedrich. “He even tried to strip away transgender students’ rights in a last-minute legislative tantrum. Entrusting him with the power to decide who goes to jail or who is prosecuted is unconscionable. Our Senators must step in now and refuse his nomination—they owe it to every child in our district.”

The Stop Essayli Campaign will mobilize community actions, legislative meetings, and a public awareness effort to urge Senators Padilla and Schiff to withhold their blue slips, preventing Essayli’s nomination from advancing.Californians are encouraged to join the campaign and take immediate action by visiting https://StopEssayli.org.

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Contact:
Jacob Daruvala
Campaign Director
[email protected]
StopEssayli.org