The process to withdraw the license of lawyer John Eastman, who in 2020 drew up a list of ways to keep then-President Donald Trump in power, began on Tuesday in Los Angeles. Eastman, who was expected to spend the day testifying before the California Bar, faces 11 disciplinary charges for crafting a legal ploy to keep Trump as president despite losing the election.
If the Bar Association court finds Eastman guilty, it could recommend the suspension or revocation of his license. However, the final decision will rest with the California Supreme Court. The trial, which is expected to last eight days, will feature witness statements, including that of Greg Jacob, a former lawyer for then-Vice President Mike Pence, who opposed Eastman’s plan to have Pence stop certifying Joe Biden’s election victory.
During the election, Eastman was one of Trump’s lawyers and wrote a memo suggesting that Pence could keep Trump in power if he reversed the election results in a joint session of Congress called to count electoral votes. This proposal has been criticized by some as a coup d’état.
The indictment against Eastman accuses him of violating California’s code of professional ethics by making false and misleading statements that constituted acts of “moral turpitude, dishonesty, and corruption.” It further states that Eastman breached his duty by supporting an attempt to usurp the will of the American people and contradict the results of the election, calling it an unprecedented and flagrant attack on democracy.
Eastman’s lawyer has stated that Eastman will dispute “all aspects” of the indictment. He also claims that the process is part of a national campaign to use the disciplinary process against lawyers who opposed the current administration in past elections. Eastman’s attorney, Randall A. Miller, expressed concern about the politicization of national bar associations and called on citizens of both parties to be appalled by this.
According to the California Bar Association’s website, Eastman has been a member since 1997. He has a background as an assistant to Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas and was a founding director of the Center for Constitutional Jurisprudence, a law firm associated with the Claremont Institute. In 2010, Eastman ran for California attorney general, coming in second in the Republican primary.
The trial will continue over the next eight days, and the outcome will have significant implications for Eastman’s legal career.
What are the disciplinary charges lawyer John Eastman is facing for his involvement in crafting a legal strategy to maintain Trump’s presidency after losing the election?
The process to revoke the license of lawyer John Eastman began on Tuesday in Los Angeles. Eastman, who in 2020 drew up a list of ways to keep then-President Donald Trump in power, is facing 11 disciplinary charges for his involvement in crafting a legal strategy to maintain Trump’s presidency even after losing the election. He was expected to spend the day testifying before the California Bar.
If Eastman is found guilty by the Bar Association court, it has the authority to recommend the suspension or revocation of his license. However, the final decision will ultimately lie with the California Supreme Court. The trial is anticipated to last for about eight days.
This article sheds light on the potential consequences faced by lawyer John Eastman for his controversial efforts to keep Donald Trump in power. It highlights the importance of upholding ethical standards within the legal profession and reminds us of the consequences that professionals may face when their actions challenge the integrity of our democratic processes.