A federal judge disqualified Bill Essayli, the top federal prosecutor in southern California, from overseeing several cases on Tuesday, part of an ongoing legal battle over whether the Trump appointee has stayed in a temporary role longer than allowed by the law.

The ruling was automatically stayed and will not take immediate effect, pending appeal by the Trump administration.

“We respectfully disagree with the court’s order,” Essayli said in a statement. “The President and the Attorney General have every right to select supervisors within the Justice Department.

“Ultimately, this question will be decided by the Supreme Court, and I look forward to serving in my current role until then,” he continued.

More details soon …