A federal judge on Tuesday ruled that Bill Essayli is unlawfully serving as Los Angeles' top federal prosecutor and ordered him disqualified from overseeing two criminal cases, rejecting the Justice Department's latest effort to preserve his authority. Senior U.S. District Judge J. Michael Seabright, however, delayed the disqualifications from taking effect while he considers an anticipated government request for a stay pending appeal. The dispute is part of a nationwide battle over the Trump administration's efforts to install its chosen prosecutors without Senate confirmation. Alina Habba stepped down as New Jersey's top federal prosecutor in December after an appeals court found her appointment unlawful. In Virginia, a judge's finding that Lindsey Halligan was unlawfully appointed led to the dismissal of indictments against former FBI Director James Comey and New York Atty. Gen. Letitia James.