SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — An attorney from California who assisted former President Donald Trump in attempting to reverse the 2020 presidential election outcome has been permanently stripped of his legal credentials in the state.
On Wednesday, the California Supreme Court issued an order permanently disbarring John Eastman and removing his name from the official registry of licensed attorneys. This action concludes a multi-year campaign by the state bar association to revoke Eastman’s legal credentials following his creation of a legal framework designed to have then-Vice President Mike Pence block the confirmation of Joe Biden’s electoral win.
In 2024, a State Bar Court of California judge had recommended removing his California legal credentials. Eastman maintained that he was facing penalties merely for providing legal counsel.
George Cardona, who serves as chief trial counsel for the State Bar of California, stated that the ruling stems from compelling evidence showing Eastman “advanced false claims about the 2020 presidential election to mislead courts, public officials, and the American public.”
“The Court’s order underscores that Mr. Eastman’s misconduct was incompatible with the standards of integrity required of every California attorney,” he said.
Randall Miller, representing Eastman, described the ruling as one that “raises pivotal constitutional concerns” and announced plans to petition the Supreme Court for review.
In his statement, he argued the decision “departs from long-standing United States Supreme Court precedent protecting First Amendment rights, especially in the attorney discipline context.”
