California Attorney John Eastman Disbarred Over 2020 Election Debacle

Fri Apr 17 2026 20:14:43 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

John Eastman, an attorney connected to Donald Trump’s efforts to overturn the 2020 election results, has lost his law license in California. The decision is a significant move against efforts to undermine electoral integrity.

The California Supreme Court has disbarred John Eastman following a lengthy legal battle concerning his role in attempting to overturn the 2020 presidential election results. Eastman's legal strategies, which included maneuvering for then-Vice President Mike Pence to reject electoral votes, were deemed to mislead courts and the public. While Eastman plans to contest the ruling, proponents of the disbarment argue it serves as a necessary step to uphold legal ethics and electoral integrity.

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — A California attorney who played a crucial part in President Donald Trump’s attempts to overturn the 2020 presidential election results has had his license revoked by the California Supreme Court.

On Wednesday, the court ordered John Eastman to be disbarred, marking a significant conclusion to a lengthy process initiated by the State Bar. Eastman’s actions included formulating a legal strategy designed to prompt then-Vice President Mike Pence to disrupt the certification process of Joe Biden's election victory.

In early 2024, a judge from the State Bar Court recommended Eastman’s disbarment after determining that he advanced false claims regarding the election. The State Bar’s chief trial counsel, George Cardona, stated that Eastman's actions were incompatible with the integrity standards expected from California attorneys.

Eastman, through his attorney Randall Miller, claimed the ruling infringes on constitutional rights and indicated plans to seek a review from the U.S. Supreme Court.

Christine P. Sun, a vice president of the States United Democracy Center—an organization that previously filed a complaint against Eastman—celebrated the ruling, describing his actions as having profoundly detrimental effects on democracy.

Eastman was closely aligned with Trump's efforts leading up to the January 6, 2021, U.S. Capitol attack and proposed a memo to reject legitimate electoral votes while presiding over Congress.

Furthermore, Eastman is facing criminal charges in connection to efforts to override Trump’s election loss in Georgia. Although a federal pardon was granted by Trump for some actions, it does not cover state crimes, impacting Eastman's legal and professional standing significantly.

Prior to his controversial role in the 2020 election aftermath, Eastman had an illustrious career, including clerking for U.S. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas and serving as the dean of Chapman University law school. He resigned from his position in 2021 after significant backlash from faculty regarding his post-election conduct.

The California State Bar serves as the sole regulatory body for attorney discipline in the country, reinforcing essential standards for legal practitioners.