In a significant legal blow to one of former President Donald Trump’s key allies, a California judge has recommended John Eastman’s disbarment. The decision marks a pivotal moment in the aftermath of Trump’s contentious bid to overturn the 2020 election results.
Judge Yvette Roland, after overseeing extensive testimony and debate regarding the foundation of Eastman’s unconventional legal arguments, has determined that the veteran conservative attorney breached ethics regulations and potentially even committed criminal offenses. Eastman’s actions in promoting Trump’s baseless claims of election fraud have been deemed unethical and legally dubious.
Despite the possibility of an appeal, including to the state Supreme Court, Roland’s ruling mandates that Eastman’s law license be placed in “inactive” status during any review process.
Throughout the trial, Eastman defended his actions, citing the support of statisticians and data analysts who purportedly uncovered widespread irregularities in the 2020 election. However, Roland dismissed these assertions, highlighting expert testimony that discredited the analysts’ claims and emphasizing Eastman’s guilt in relying on unsubstantiated theories.
Moreover, Roland concluded that Eastman went to great lengths to pressure then-Vice President Mike Pence into obstructing the certification of Joe Biden’s victory despite the absence of support from state legislatures. This determination underscores the severity of Eastman’s involvement in Trump’s efforts to subvert the democratic process.