Stop Essayli
Grassroots campaign to block a MAGA extremist's confirmation as U.S. Attorney
The Challenge
When Trump appointed Bill Essayli—a right-wing California Assemblymember—as interim U.S. Attorney for the Central District of California, advocates across the state recognized an immediate threat.
Essayli had authored anti-LGBTQ+ legislation in the Assembly. Within 60 days of his interim appointment, he had already charged SEIU California President David Huerta with federal felonies, appeared to direct federal agents to detain U.S. Senator Alex Padilla at a public event, and used the Palm Springs bombing to advance an anti-choice agenda.
The challenge: build a rapid-response grassroots campaign to pressure California's U.S. Senators to withhold their "blue slips" and block Essayli's confirmation to a permanent term—before Trump could cement his appointment.
Our Approach
We launched StopEssayli.org as the hub for a multi-channel advocacy campaign combining digital organizing, earned media, coalition building, and direct outreach to elected officials.
Digital Infrastructure:
- Built a campaign website with petition tools, contact forms, and donation processing
- Deployed targeted MMS broadcasts to CADEM delegates, LGBTQ+ donors, progressive activists, and Democratic voters across key districts
- Segmented messaging by audience—different frames for delegates, LGBTQ+ community, labor supporters, and general progressives
Earned Media Strategy:
- Contributed to investigative reporting in Politico, The Intercept, LA Times, and Knock LA
- Secured front-page placement in the Press-Enterprise identifying StopEssayli.org as the campaign hub
- Coordinated with Sen. Schiff's staff on press amplification strategy for the Padilla incident
Coalition & Visibility:
- Organized virtual town halls with Working Families Party, Riverside County Democratic Party, and Indivisible groups
- Secured public letters from Assemblymember Corey Jackson and the Democratic Party of Orange County
- Visibility action at CADEM Convention attracted attention from Democratic delegates
Key Metrics
Judicial Disqualification
1
Judge disqualified Essayli from federal case for misconduct
Senator Statements
2
Schiff and Padilla publicly opposed appointment using our talking points
Text Messages Sent
50K+
Targeted MMS broadcasts to activists, delegates, and voters
Media Placements
6+
Politico, The Intercept, LA Times, Knock LA, Press-Enterprise, SFGate
Results
The Stop Essayli campaign achieved significant victories in blocking a MAGA extremist from cementing power as U.S. Attorney.
Major Wins:
- Judge disqualified Essayli from a federal case, citing conflicts of interest and prosecutorial misconduct
- Senators Schiff and Padilla issued public statements opposing Essayli's appointment, using our talking points to slam Trump's "U.S. Attorney hijacking"
- Assemblymember Corey Jackson submitted a formal letter to both Senators urging them to block the appointment
- Sen. Schiff released a 12-minute video denouncing Essayli and the Trump administration's illegal maneuvers to keep him installed
Direct Advocacy Impact:
- 700+ advocacy actions taken through the campaign portal (emails, calls, petition signatures)
- Public letters from elected officials and party organizations urging Senators to block confirmation
- Direct engagement with Sen. Schiff's staff on confirmation strategy
Media Coverage:
- Featured in Politico, The Intercept, LA Times, Knock LA, Press-Enterprise, and SFGate
- Campaign directly cited in reporting on Essayli's prosecutorial overreach
MMS Program Results:
- 50,000+ text messages sent across 13 targeted broadcasts
Campaign Media
Front page LA Times coverage of Bill Essayli's tenure and the grassroots opposition
Sample MMS Broadcasts
Targeted text message campaigns to different audience segments
CADEM Delegate Outreach
Campaign Message
Hi Jose this is Jacob, if you're a Democratic insider, you may have seen me last weekend at the California Democratic Party convention. I live in the 63rd Assembly District, where right-wing extremist Bill Essayli was the assemblyman - until Trump promoted him to interim U.S. Attorney. With only 60 days on the job, he has already started to enact an agenda of Revenge. Example 1: When a dirty cop CONVICTED BY A JURY of excessive force on an unarmed Black woman needed a 'get out of jail free card', ESSAYLI obliged. That convicted cop is now a free man (he never served a day in prison). I know you may have already acted on this, but we still need your help. Can you email our Senators and urge them to block Essayli's nomination by withholding their blue slips? Paid for by STOP ESSAYLI Reply STOP to opt out
Targeted outreach to California Democratic Party delegates (2,964 sent)
LGBTQ+ Community Alert (Skrmetti Decision)
Campaign Message
This is URGENT: The Supreme Court just made a terrible decision targeting the LGBTQ+ community. The newly announced "Skrmetti" decision puts families, doctors, and others at risk if they provide gender-affirming care to young trans people. We're fighting to block the confirmation of Interim US Attorney Bill Essayli—a MAGA extremist and ex–California Assemblymember. He authored anti-LGBTQ+ legislation while in the Assembly. If Essayli is confirmed as US Attorney, he would be empowered to enforce a hateful anti‑LGBTQ+ agenda. We must block his confirmation! Paid for by Stop Essayli Text STOP to quit
Urgent outreach following Supreme Court decision (8,461 sent)
Action Takers & Donors Outreach
Campaign Message
Hi Gregg this is Jacob from Stop Essayli. After the arrest of SEIU California President David Huerta, Speaker Rivas said "small and petty" Bill Essayli "is using his Trump-bestowed" interim U.S. Attorney job to "settle scores." Immigrant rights, environmental justice, and LGBTQ+ advocates all agree: we must stop Essayli. Join us in demanding that our Senators block Essayli's confirmation to a full term as U.S. Attorney for the Central District. Paid for by STOP ESSAYLI Text STOP to quit
Outreach to engaged supporters after Huerta arrest (5,888 sent)
LA Times Coverage
Campaign Message
Hi Frederick – Jacob from Stop Essayli here. We're in the final days of Bill Essayli's interim appointment as U.S. Attorney. Today, The Los Angeles Times published a major article exposing the incompetence and political polarization that has defined his short tenure. We were proud to contribute to the reporting. While the administration is working overtime to hold onto their handpicked prosecutors — even at the edge of legality — we're preparing our next moves. Can you chip in $50 to help us keep up the pressure? Every dollar counts. Paid for by Stop Essayli Text STOP to quit
Promoting LA Times investigative piece (2,427 sent)
Trump's Illegal Power Grab
Campaign Message
Michael, Trump just broke the law to keep Bill Essayli in power — leaving the U.S. Attorney's office vacant and installing him as "First Assistant" to avoid Senate confirmation. Essayli: "F*** the Justice Manual." "We've got tricks up our sleeves." "To embarrass the Democrats, I'm going to do it." We're deciding our next move — protest? Lawsuit? Tell us what you think: just reply. Or chip in $25 to help us fight back. Paid for by Stop Essayli Text STOP to quit
Response to Trump's maneuver to keep Essayli installed (2,540 sent)
Services Used
Ready to Get Started?
Let's discuss how we can help you achieve similar results for your campaign or project.
Other Case Studies
Real Results, Real Impact
Explore more of our work across political campaigns, community organizations, and land use advocacy.
Re-Elect Mayor John Erickson
Multi-channel digital campaign saturates West Hollywood voters in the final 30 days
Hollywood Chamber PAC – Support Mitch O'Farrell
Independent expenditure campaign delivers 2.3M impressions across digital channels in the final weeks of LA City Council race
Divine Truth Unity Fellowship — Rainbow Pride Youth Alliance
Protecting $2.2M in state grant funding through CORD compliance and data continuity
Pomona Thrives
Multi-channel advocacy campaign mobilizes 106 public comments and 410K impressions for Pomona Zoning Code reform
ACLU of Maryland: Say No to 287(g)
Rapid-response digital campaign mobilizing Wicomico County residents against ICE collaboration agreements
No case studies found in this category.