Key Trump lawyer who tried to overturn 2020 election permanently disbarred
Democracy Docket9 hrs
John Eastman Disbarred Over 2020 Election Challenge
Is John Eastman's disbarment a landmark moment of accountability or a dangerous precedent for legal advocacy?
Above: John Eastman at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in National Harbor, Maryland, on Feb. 21, 2025. Image credit: Aaron Schwartz/Bloomberg/Getty Images
The Spin
Democratic narrative
John Eastman's disbarment is a landmark moment of accountability, as a lawyer who pushed debunked theories about the 2020 election is finally facing real consequences. Eastman drafted memos urging Mike Pence to reject certified electoral votes, made false statements in court filings and promoted fraud claims without evidence. While Trump may have avoided punishment for his 2020 abuses, stripping the licenses of lawyers like Eastman is exactly the kind of reckoning democracy demands.
Republican narrative
Disbarring John Eastman for zealously representing a client in a legitimate legal dispute is the kind of political persecution seen in banana republics, not America. The 2020 election was marred by unprecedented last-minute rule changes that created justified suspicion, and Eastman pursued lawful constitutional remedies — never advocating violence, bribery or discarding valid votes. This ruling punishes legal advocacy and sets a dangerous precedent for the entire profession.
Public Figures
The Controversies
Political split
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© 2026 Improve the News Foundation.
All rights reserved.
Version 6.18.0