On March 27, a California state bar judge ruled to disbar John Eastman, a co-defendant of former President Donald Trump in Georgia's 2020 election subversion case.
The ruling by California State Bar Court Hearing Judge Yvette Roland highlighted "exceptionally serious ethical violations warranting severe professional discipline" on Eastman's part. Eastman, who served as a Trump lawyer during his presidency, is among 19 defendants accused in the Georgia case of participating in a conspiracy to overturn President Joe Biden's 2020 election victory, which culminated in the January 6, 2021, attack on Congress.
Judge Roland found Eastman guilty of 10 disciplinary charges, including making false and misleading statements about the 2020 presidential election and Vice President Pence's authority to delay or adjourn the certification of Biden as president.
Despite pleading not guilty to the charges, Eastman was investigated by the State Bar of California following 11 disciplinary charges filed against him in January 2023.
The investigation involved a more than 35-day trial with 23 witnesses and over 700 exhibits.
In response to the ruling, Eastman criticized the validity of the trial and stated his intention to appeal the decision, even to the Supreme Court if necessary, to protect the First Amendment and the right of controversial clients to legal representation.
His legal representation at Miller Law Associates argued that his actions were in line with lawyers' everyday advocacy for their clients and expressed confidence that the review court will provide a remedy if necessary.
Chief Trial Counsel George Cardona celebrated the ruling, stating that Eastman repeatedly violated his duty to uphold the Constitution and the rule of law.
Cardona emphasized that Eastman's efforts to obstruct the counting of electoral votes and disrupt the peaceful transfer of power to President-elect Biden posed a significant threat to democracy, warranting his disbarment.