An attorney discipline panel in Washington, DC, has preliminarily decided that former Trump Justice Department official Jeffrey Clark may face sanctions, including disbarment, for his role in trying to sow doubt in Donald Trump’s 2020 electoral loss. This decision follows a several-day trial and puts Clark on a path towards serious penalties as a lawyer, in addition to his separate legal battles in Georgia related to the 2020 election.
The ethics charges brought against Clark by the DC Bar’s Office of Disciplinary Counsel allege that he was dishonest and attempted to interfere with the administration of justice post-2020 election. The panel’s finding is not binding, but it has been confirmed that the office will seek Clark’s disbarment following the recent announcement.
During the final days of the Trump administration, Clark believed that foreign-controlled smart thermostats may have interfered with votes and rejected federal investigative findings that showed no widespread fraud in the election. Trump came close to appointing Clark as his last attorney general, as part of an effort to challenge his loss in battleground states. Testimonies from former high-ranking Justice Department officials, such as Jeffrey Rosen and Richard Donoghue, portrayed Clark’s actions within the DOJ as inappropriate and out of line.
The attorney discipline trial against Clark began last week before a three-person disciplinary committee. The final recommendation will be sent to a professional responsibility board and the DC court for further consideration. Clark had filed lawsuits challenging the validity of the DC Bar’s disciplinary proceedings against him, which have led to delays in the proceedings as federal appeals courts are still considering aspects of the litigation.
Other individuals who worked for Trump after the 2020 election are also facing attorney discipline consequences. Former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani has been recommended for disbarment by a hearing committee in DC after a trial, and his law license was suspended by a New York court. Additionally, ex-Trump attorney John Eastman has notified the DC Bar that his law license is now inactive following a judge’s recommendation for disbarment in California. Each individual is at different stages of their attorney disciplinary process.
Overall, the findings against Jeffrey Clark and others highlight the legal repercussions faced by individuals who supported Trump’s efforts to challenge the 2020 election results. The hearings and potential sanctions provide insights into the ethical standards expected of lawyers and the consequences for those who violate them. As these cases progress through the disciplinary process, further actions and penalties may be imposed, impacting the legal careers and reputations of those involved.
