California’s highest court has permanently disbarred attorney John Eastman for his role in efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election.
California Supreme Court Orders Disbarment of John Eastman
The California Supreme Court on Wednesday ordered the disbarment of John Eastman, a former attorney for President Donald Trump who helped engineer a strategy to overturn the 2020 presidential election results. The decision affirms a State Bar Court recommendation and removes Eastman from the roll of attorneys in the state effective immediately.
Court Finds Egregious and Deceitful Conduct
The court found Eastman committed 10 acts of “egregious and deceitful conduct” related to the 2020 election, including making false and misleading statements about election fraud to courts, public officials, and the American public. The ruling finalizes a years-long disciplinary process that began with a 2024 recommendation for disbarment, affirmed by the State Bar Court Review Department in July 2025.
Sanctions and Next Steps
As part of the order, Eastman is required to pay $5,000 in statutory sanctions plus the State Bar’s costs. His attorney, Randall A. Miller, stated that Eastman will seek review of the case before the U.S. Supreme Court, arguing the decision threatens First Amendment rights and departs from long-standing precedent protecting attorney speech.
Background on the Fake Electors Scheme
Eastman was a key architect of the so-called fake electors scheme that aimed to receive then-Vice President Mike Pence to block the certification of Joe Biden’s 2020 electoral victory. Evidence presented by the House Jan. 6 committee showed Eastman acknowledged the plan was not legal but pushed for Pence to reject electors from contested states, which would have effectively overturned the election results. Days after the Jan. 6 riot, Eastman asked Rudy Giuliani to be included in a list of people Trump would pardon, though he was not pardoned at that time.
Ongoing Disciplinary Proceedings Elsewhere
While the California disbarment is final, it remains unclear how this will impact Eastman’s legal standing in other jurisdictions. He remains under suspension in Washington, D.C., where separate disciplinary proceedings are ongoing.