Why disbarment could be the least of MAGA lawyer John Eastman’s problems

27 June 2023

Far-right attorney and former law professor John C. Eastman has become a highly polarizing figure in U.S. politics. MAGA Republicans, Donald Trump loyalists and members of the Claremont Institute (a right-wing think tank that has taken an ultra-MAGA turn in recent years) view him as one of the intellectual voices of their movement. But a combination of Never Trump conservatives, liberals, progressives, libertarians and centrist Democrats view Eastman as a dangerous authoritarian who is trying to undermine democracy in the United States.

Eastman was the author of a memo that outlined a game plan for overturning the 2020 presidential election results, and he is facing possible disbarment in California. But according to the Daily Beast's Jose Pagliery, disbarment could be the least of his problems if Fulton County, Georgia District Attorney Fani Willis decides to prosecute him.

In an article published on June 27, Pagliery explains, "Prosecutors in Fulton County, Georgia, are widely expected to bring charges against (former President Donald) Trump and a handful of co-conspirators who tried to erase (Joe) Biden's lead there by intimidating the state's top elections official and replacing electors slated to vote for Biden with Trump loyalists who signed a document purporting to represent the state's real electors. While Eastman losing his law license in California would be the sternest punishment he's faced yet, it would hardly compare to a criminal indictment in Fulton County."

The Daily Beast reporter notes that Eastman's disbarment hearing in California isn't "looking good" for the MAGA attorney.

"Although it's essentially a professional regulatory rebuke," Pagliery observes, "the disciplinary charge reads like a criminal indictment. Eastman is charged with making false representations and failing to support the nation's Constitution and its laws. He's accused of committing 'an act of moral turpitude, dishonesty, and corruption,' as stated in the charge notice."

The journalist adds, "Eastman was the author of a now-infamous memo in which he argued Vice President Mike Pence could single-handedly reject Electoral College votes to buy Republican state legislatures time to overturn Joe Biden's 2020 victory. And his six-page memo laying out how Pence could reject the Electoral College is the heart of the case."

Read the Daily Beast's full article at this link (subscription required).

From Your Site Articles