The American Democracy Minute Radio News Report & Podcast for April 20, 2026
John Eastman, the alleged architect of the effort to overturn the outcome of the 2020 election in Congress, had his disbarment upheld by the California Supreme Court April 15th. His attorney says Eastman, previously pardoned by President Trump, will appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court.
Vice Chair of the January 6th Committee, Rep. Liz Cheney, explained in a hearing, “But President Trump plotted with a lawyer named John Eastman to pressure Pence to do so anyway. As a Federal court has explained, `Based on the evidence, the Court finds that it is more likely than not that President
Trump and Dr. Eastman dishonestly conspired to obstruct the Joint Session of Congress on January 6, 2021.’” UNQUOTE.
Eastman was tried on 11 counts of misconduct in the State Bar Court of California in June 2023, arising from his activities surrounding his representation of President Trump and the 2020 presidential election. He was disbarred, and appealed to the state Supreme Court.
While he was pardoned by the President in November 2025, that pardon doesn’t apply to the state disciplinary action. A statement by Eastman’s lawyer to NBC 4 Los Angeles indicated Eastman would appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court.
Eastman had previously been disbarred in Washington, DC in 2024.
We’ve linked to more on John Eastman’s alleged role in overturning the 2020 election at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org. I’m Brian Beihl.
Today’s Links
Articles & Resources:
U.S. Congress – (2022) HEARING BEFORE THE SELECT COMMITTEE TO INVESTIGATE THE JANUARY 6TH ATTACK ON THE UNITED STATES CAPITOL, JUNE 16, 2022 (Name search for ‘Eastman’)
PBS – (2022) Plot to Overturn the Election (full documentary) | FRONTLINE
CATO Institute – (2022) John Eastman’s Unsupported Defense of His Jan. 6 Plan
National Archives – 2020 Presidential Election Unofficial Certificates Submitted to The Office of the Federal Register
State Bar Court of California (Via States United Democracy Center) – (2024) DECISION AND ORDER OF INVOLUNTARY INACTIVE ENROLLMENT
District of Columbia Court of Appeals – In re JOHN C. EASTMAN, ESQUIRE – A Member of the Bar of the
District of Columbia Court of Appeals
Related ADM Reports:
American Democracy Minute – President Donald Trump Pardons Many of His Accomplices Accused of Trying to Overturn the 2020 Election
Groups Taking Action:
States United Democracy Center
Register or Check Your Voter Registration:
U.S. Election Assistance Commission – How to Register And Vote in Your State
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