Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

LetMyPeopleVote

(180,686 posts)
Thu Apr 16, 2026, 09:56 AM Thursday

MaddowBlog-Trump avoided punishments for his post-2020 abuses, but many of his lawyers did not

For the attorneys who helped fuel the president’s efforts in remain in office, the consequences have been severe. Take John Eastman, for example.

Trump avoided legal accountability for his post-2020 abuses and alleged felonies, but some of his lawyers faced real consequences:
- Eastman disbarred
- Giuliani disbarred
- Chesebro disbarred
- Clark facing possible disbarment
- Ellis suspended law license
www.ms.now/rachel-maddo...

Steve Benen (@stevebenen.com) 2026-04-16T13:27:00.383Z

https://www.ms.now/rachel-maddow-show/maddowblog/trump-avoided-punishments-for-his-post-2020-abuses-but-many-of-his-lawyers-did-not

Last summer, for example, Kenneth Chesebro, the attorney who was widely credited as the “architect” of the infamous “fake elector” scheme, was disbarred in New York. A year earlier, Rudy Giuliani was disbarred in New York and Washington, D.C. In 2023, Jenna Ellis admitted that she made post-election misrepresentations and had her Colorado license suspended for three years.

Jeffrey Clark, a key figure in Trump’s crusade to remain in the White House after losing, is also facing possible disbarment in the nation’s capital.

And then, of course, there’s John Eastman, who’s a prominent member of the same ignominious club. The Associated Press reported:

A California attorney who aided President Donald Trump’s efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election results has lost his license to practice in the state.

The California Supreme Court on Wednesday ordered John Eastman disbarred and his name stricken from the state roll of attorneys. … A judge for the State Bar Court of California in 2024 recommended that he lose his California law license. Eastman argued he was being punished for simply giving legal advice
.


.....Eastman was not, however, merely a behind-the-scenes author of a ridiculous memo. The Republican lawyer also effectively played the role of a lobbyist, advocating on behalf of a plot, pleading with officials to go along with the plot, and even appearing at a pre-riot Jan. 6 rally to espouse his outlandish ideas to Trump’s radicalized followers.

As part of these efforts, Eastman also delivered remote testimony to a Georgia state Senate panel on Dec. 3, 2020, and peddled a variety of demonstrably false claims about the election results. The lawyer even told state lawmakers at the time that “the election can’t be validly certified.” (His advice was ignored.)

Years later, after Trump returned to power, the president pardoned dozens of people who participated in his post-2020 plot, including Eastman, but the clemency only applied to federal crimes, and had no bearing on the disbarment process.

The president who avoided accountability, in other words, couldn’t prevent one of his allied lawyers from facing consequences.

Eastman is a disgrace to the legal profession and I am glad that he was disbarred.
2 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
MaddowBlog-Trump avoided punishments for his post-2020 abuses, but many of his lawyers did not (Original Post) LetMyPeopleVote Thursday OP
Stark warning from ex-DOJ prosecutor as another Trump lawyer disbarred: 'More to come' LetMyPeopleVote Friday #1
Meh, they will all get speaking gigs for the next ten years, which should get most of them to their final days. OldBaldy1701E Friday #2

LetMyPeopleVote

(180,686 posts)
1. Stark warning from ex-DOJ prosecutor as another Trump lawyer disbarred: 'More to come'
Fri Apr 17, 2026, 06:20 PM
Friday

In order to represent trump and do his bidding, a lawyer has to violate the code of ethics. We will see still more disbarments in the future.

Stark warning from ex-DOJ prosecutor as another Trump lawyer disbarred: 'More to come' #RawStory

#TuckFrump (@realtuckfrumper.bsky.social) 2026-04-16T23:15:08.000Z

https://www.rawstory.com/john-eastman-2676755421/

A legal expert shared a stark warning during a new podcast episode after a MAGA lawyer was officially disbarred in California.

Glenn Kirschner, a former assistant U.S. attorney, said on a new episode of his podcast, "Justice Matters," that MAGA attorney John Eastman's disbarment this week symbolized how continued fealty to President Donald Trump can have disastrous consequences. Eastman was disbarred by the California Supreme Court on Wednesday for his role in helping Trump obstruct the 2020 election results.

Kirschner noted that other lawyers Trump worked with on the plot, such as Rudy Giuliani and Kenneth Chesebro, have also been disbarred for their actions.

"Will these Trump lawyers and these Trump-affiliated lawyers never learn?" Kirschner said. "Because they're being disbarred one after another after another. And frankly, I suspect there is more to come."

"It really shouldn't be that hard for these attorneys to represent the interests of the American people and to remain loyal to the rule of law rather than serving an aspiring dictator, an autocrat, a wannabe king," he added. "It really shouldn't be that hard. If these folks would just focus for a minute on what they learned in ethics courses in law school."

OldBaldy1701E

(11,299 posts)
2. Meh, they will all get speaking gigs for the next ten years, which should get most of them to their final days.
Fri Apr 17, 2026, 06:26 PM
Friday

Wake me up when there is jail time being started.

Not promised... started.

Latest Discussions»General Discussion»MaddowBlog-Trump avoided ...