Topline
A California judge ruled Wednesday that former President Donald Trump’s ex-attorney, John Eastman, should be disbarred from practicing law, noting the State Bar of California proved all but one of Eastman’s 11 misconduct charges it brought against him related to his aid of Trump’s efforts to interfere in the 2020 presidential election.
Eastman will be able to appeal Roland's recommendation. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)
Key Facts
Judge Yvette Roland recommended Eastman, who entered Trump’s circle in 2019, be disbarred considering the circumstances surrounding his conduct.
Roland found the State Bar of California satisfied its burden of proving all but one of the charges against Eastman, which include one count of failing to support the Constitution and laws of the U.S., two counts of seeking to mislead a court and six counts of moral turpitude by making various misrepresentations.
The California Supreme Court will decide to endorse or reject Roland’s recommendation.
Eastman can appeal Roland’s ruling, though his license will be rendered inactive during any periods of legal review.
Roland also recommended a $10,000 sanction against Eastman “for making numerous false and misleading statements” about his conduct during the 2020 presidential election.
Eastman didn’t immediately respond to Forbes’ request for comment.
What To Watch For
Eastman is also one of several Trump co-defendants who allegedly attempted to overturn election results in Georgia in 2020. He faces nine criminal charges including a violation of Georgia’s racketeering act, two counts of conspiracy to commit forgery in the first degree, conspiracy to commit impersonating a public officer, filing false documents and more. The indictment against Eastman alleges he contacted Georgia state officials and pressured them to unlawfully appoint alternate presidential electors who would vote for Trump.
Key Background
Eastman is considered to be the legal architect behind Trump’s attempts to overturn the 2020 election. He first became involved in Trump’s legal matters in 2020, when he submitted a filing asking the Supreme Court to let the former president intervene in a lawsuit designed to throw out election results in four swing states won by President Joe Biden. The longshot suit ultimately failed. Eastman provided Trump with strategies to overturn his election loss, arguing former Vice President Mike Pence could refuse to count some of Biden’s electoral votes during a congressional session on Jan. 6, 2021. Eastman’s strategy was predicated on having swing state Republicans sign off on illegitimate alternate electors who would deem Trump as the winner of their states.
Further Reading
Who Is John Eastman? The Attorney At The Center Of Trump's January 6 Strategy (Forbes)
