Bill Essayli, the new U.S. attorney for California’s central district, needs residents of the Golden State to understand that California is not exempt from complying with federal law.
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Democratic politicians have convinced Californians that the state is a “real sanctuary” from federal policies they dislike. That misguided attitude, Essayli told National Review in a recent interview, explains the chaos that has broken out in his first two months on the job.
As immigration-enforcement raids began in Los Angeles earlier this month, rioters took to the streets, setting fire to cars, injuring law enforcement officers, blocking the 101 Freeway, and damaging government vehicles.
“You’re seeing what I call a public temper tantrum because they conditioned people to believe over the last few years that California is special or really is exempt from federal law. It’s not,” says Essayli, the son of Lebanese immigrants who came to the U.S. legally.
He said the public reaction makes it “more challenging” for federal law enforcement to do its job, but not impossible.
“We are still going out and doing our enforcement operations. We have not stopped, we will not be deterred, and the only thing that’s going to happen is you’re going to see more resources come to our district to make sure we can successfully complete that mission.”
“If they don’t like the number of National Guard that are here now, they should see how many we get if this continues,” he warned.
Essayli announced new federal charges this week against several L.A. rioters, including Alejandro Orellana, who faces charges of conspiracy to commit civil disorder and aiding and abetting civil disorder after he allegedly passed out face shields to violent rioters.
“These face shields are designed to protect from chemical splashes and flying debris, which helps protect violent agitators from less than lethal weapons deployed by law enforcement,” Essayli said during a news conference on Tuesday.
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