California’s top prosecutors clash publicly over mail-ballot rules and election integrity
The state attorney general and the Los Angeles federal prosecutor exchanged accusations on social media after California joined a lawsuit challenging new USPS mail-ballot regulations.
California Attorney General Rob Bonta revealed that the state, together with 24 Democratic-led states, filed suit to stop a new nationwide USPS rule on mail-in ballots that was requested by President Donald Trump. In response, First Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli, the chief federal prosecutor in Los Angeles, posted on X that the lawsuit shields non-citizens and election fraudsters. Bonta fired back, labeling Essayli as seeking favor with a “desperate wannabe dictator.”
A federal district judge later granted a temporary restraining order, pausing the rule’s implementation while the case proceeds. The exchange is notable because U.S. attorneys and state attorneys general typically cooperate on law-enforcement matters, such as joint operations against gangs and drug traffickers. The spat underscores the heightened partisan tension surrounding election-security policies ahead of the November midterms.
Why it matters
The feud shows how partisan battles over voting rules can strain cooperation between state and federal law-enforcement agencies.
How this story developed
- Aug 22 Supreme Court Halts Lower Court Block on Trump Mail-Voting Order Amid Implementation Hurdles
- Aug 25 Supreme Court lifted the June injunction but left a second injunction in place, keeping parts of the order blocked.
- Aug 26 Governor Gavin Newsom announced that California will file a new lawsuit to block the federal mail‑in voting rules.
- Aug 26 Around two dozen Democratic-run states have filed a new lawsuit against the U.S. Postal Service, seeking to block President Trump’s order that would limit mail voting in the upcoming midterm elections.
- Aug 26 The Supreme Court voted 6‑3 to lift a prior stay on the USPS rule.
- Aug 27 The Supreme Court forced Judge Talwani to vacate the earlier injunction, allowing the USPS rule to take effect pending the lawsuit.
- Aug 28 USPS announced it is now applying the new mail‑ballot handling requirements.
- Aug 28 Judge Indira Talwani ordered a 14‑day halt to enforcement of the executive order.
- Aug 28 U.S. District Judge Indira Talwani granted a 14‑day temporary restraining order blocking enforcement of the new USPS mail‑ballot regulation.
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