John Eastman: The Lawyer at the Center of the January 6th Insurrection

John Eastman, a once-respected attorney, former Chapman University law school dean, and former law clerk to Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, has found himself at the center of a legal and ethical storm for his role in the January 6th Insurrection. Eastman, a staunch supporter of former President Donald Trump, played a pivotal role in Trump's efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election.

Eastman’s involvement in the Insurrection began with his authorship of two memos that outlined a plan for Vice President Mike Pence to reject the electoral votes of certain states, effectively handing the presidency to Trump. These memos, later released to the public, were widely criticized for their outlandish and legally baseless proposals.

Eastman continued to promote Trump’s false claims of election fraud in the weeks leading up to January 6th. He spoke at rallies and appeared on conservative media outlets, amplifying Trump's message and urging his supporters to act.

On the day of the Insurrection, Eastman was among the speakers at the “Stop the Steal” rally that preceded the attack on the Capitol. You might recall him wearing a long camel-colored wool coat, burgundy scarf, and western hat on stage. In his speech, he urged the crowd to march on the Capitol and "fight like hell" to overturn the election results.

Eastman's actions have led to a disciplinary investigation by the State Bar of California. The bar has charged Eastman with 11 counts of misconduct, including violating his oath as an attorney and engaging in dishonest and deceitful conduct.

If found guilty, Eastman could face various penalties, including suspension or disbarment from practicing law. Disbarment is the most severe penalty and would permanently revoke Eastman's law license.

The disciplinary proceedings against Eastman are ongoing, and the outcome is unclear. However, the case has already significantly impacted Eastman's career and reputation. He has been ostracized by many in the legal community, and his chances of finding employment as an attorney are greatly diminished.

Eastman's case is also significant because it raises crucial questions about the role of lawyers in upholding the rule of law. Lawyers are obliged to ensure that the electoral process is fair and legitimate. Eastman's actions, which sought to undermine the results of a free and fair election, betrayed this obligation.

The legal profession and the public alike will closely watch the outcome of Eastman's case. It will serve as a precedent for how lawyers who engage in similar misconduct will be disciplined.