SUBSCRIBE TO OUR FREE NEWSLETTER
Daily news & progressive opinion—funded by the people, not the corporations—delivered straight to your inbox.
5
#000000
#FFFFFF
5
#000000
#FFFFFF
Jeffrey Clark, former acting assistant attorney general, testifies during a hearing in the U.S. Capitol on June 13, 2023 in Washington, D.C.
(Photo by Michael A. McCoy/Getty Images)
Notorious Pro-Trump Lawyer Should Be Disbarred for 2020 Election Plot: Panel
A Washington, D.C. disciplinary board concluded that "considering all of the facts proven," Jeffrey Clark "should be disbarred because he attempted to engage in flagrant dishonesty."
Jul 31, 2025
Attorney Jeffrey Clark, a former Department of Justice official who engaged in a plot to keep U.S. President Donald Trump illegally in power more than five years ago, may not be an attorney much longer.
Politico reported on Thursday that the District of Columbia Court of Appeals Board on Professional Responsibility has recommended that Clark be disbarred for his role in the effort to overturn the 2020 presidential election.
In its report, the panel cited Clark's actions in December 2020 and January 2021 in which he drafted a letter to be signed by top DOJ officials falsely stating that the department had "identified significant concerns that may have impacted the outcome of the election in multiple states, including the State of Georgia."
After top DOJ officials at the time informed Clark that they had not found any significant evidence of fraud that would have affected the outcome of the 2020 election, he lobbied Trump to fire them and put him in charge as acting attorney general. Trump considered this plan but then backed off of it when he was told that it would lead to mass resignations at the DOJ and the White House Counsel.
Regardless, wrote the panel, Clark continued to press Trump to pull the trigger and told him, "History is calling, we can do this, we can get it done, just put me in charge, I'll get it done."
The panel finished its report by writing that "considering all of the facts proven... we conclude that [Clark] should be disbarred because he attempted to engage in flagrant dishonesty."
The board's recommendation is not the final say in Clark's disbarment; his case now moves to the D.C. Court of Appeals, which will make the ultimate decision. However, Clark is for now temporarily suspended from practicing law unless he can convince the court to intervene.
Politico noted that Clark remained defiant in the wake of the ruling and said "the fight continues" in a post on social media platform X.
Regardless, New York University Law professor Ryan Goodman argued that Clark being disbarred could send a strong signal to future Trump lawyers who may be tempted to help him carry out illegal schemes.
"Big picture: Significant implications for U.S. government attorneys who risk their bar licenses by engaging in clearly illegal and unethical conduct," he wrote.
Why Your Ongoing Support Is Essential
Donald Trump’s attacks on democracy, justice, and a free press are escalating — putting everything we stand for at risk. We believe a better world is possible, but we can’t get there without your support. Common Dreams stands apart. We answer only to you — our readers, activists, and changemakers — not to billionaires or corporations. Our independence allows us to cover the vital stories that others won’t, spotlighting movements for peace, equality, and human rights. Right now, our work faces unprecedented challenges. Misinformation is spreading, journalists are under attack, and financial pressures are mounting. As a reader-supported, nonprofit newsroom, your support is crucial to keep this journalism alive. Whatever you can give — $10, $25, or $100 — helps us stay strong and responsive when the world needs us most. Together, we’ll continue to build the independent, courageous journalism our movement relies on. Thank you for being part of this community. |
Our work is licensed under Creative Commons (CC BY-NC-ND 3.0). Feel free to republish and share widely.
Attorney Jeffrey Clark, a former Department of Justice official who engaged in a plot to keep U.S. President Donald Trump illegally in power more than five years ago, may not be an attorney much longer.
Politico reported on Thursday that the District of Columbia Court of Appeals Board on Professional Responsibility has recommended that Clark be disbarred for his role in the effort to overturn the 2020 presidential election.
In its report, the panel cited Clark's actions in December 2020 and January 2021 in which he drafted a letter to be signed by top DOJ officials falsely stating that the department had "identified significant concerns that may have impacted the outcome of the election in multiple states, including the State of Georgia."
After top DOJ officials at the time informed Clark that they had not found any significant evidence of fraud that would have affected the outcome of the 2020 election, he lobbied Trump to fire them and put him in charge as acting attorney general. Trump considered this plan but then backed off of it when he was told that it would lead to mass resignations at the DOJ and the White House Counsel.
Regardless, wrote the panel, Clark continued to press Trump to pull the trigger and told him, "History is calling, we can do this, we can get it done, just put me in charge, I'll get it done."
The panel finished its report by writing that "considering all of the facts proven... we conclude that [Clark] should be disbarred because he attempted to engage in flagrant dishonesty."
The board's recommendation is not the final say in Clark's disbarment; his case now moves to the D.C. Court of Appeals, which will make the ultimate decision. However, Clark is for now temporarily suspended from practicing law unless he can convince the court to intervene.
Politico noted that Clark remained defiant in the wake of the ruling and said "the fight continues" in a post on social media platform X.
Regardless, New York University Law professor Ryan Goodman argued that Clark being disbarred could send a strong signal to future Trump lawyers who may be tempted to help him carry out illegal schemes.
"Big picture: Significant implications for U.S. government attorneys who risk their bar licenses by engaging in clearly illegal and unethical conduct," he wrote.
Related Articles Around the Web
Attorney Jeffrey Clark, a former Department of Justice official who engaged in a plot to keep U.S. President Donald Trump illegally in power more than five years ago, may not be an attorney much longer.
Politico reported on Thursday that the District of Columbia Court of Appeals Board on Professional Responsibility has recommended that Clark be disbarred for his role in the effort to overturn the 2020 presidential election.
In its report, the panel cited Clark's actions in December 2020 and January 2021 in which he drafted a letter to be signed by top DOJ officials falsely stating that the department had "identified significant concerns that may have impacted the outcome of the election in multiple states, including the State of Georgia."
After top DOJ officials at the time informed Clark that they had not found any significant evidence of fraud that would have affected the outcome of the 2020 election, he lobbied Trump to fire them and put him in charge as acting attorney general. Trump considered this plan but then backed off of it when he was told that it would lead to mass resignations at the DOJ and the White House Counsel.
Regardless, wrote the panel, Clark continued to press Trump to pull the trigger and told him, "History is calling, we can do this, we can get it done, just put me in charge, I'll get it done."
The panel finished its report by writing that "considering all of the facts proven... we conclude that [Clark] should be disbarred because he attempted to engage in flagrant dishonesty."
The board's recommendation is not the final say in Clark's disbarment; his case now moves to the D.C. Court of Appeals, which will make the ultimate decision. However, Clark is for now temporarily suspended from practicing law unless he can convince the court to intervene.
Politico noted that Clark remained defiant in the wake of the ruling and said "the fight continues" in a post on social media platform X.
Regardless, New York University Law professor Ryan Goodman argued that Clark being disbarred could send a strong signal to future Trump lawyers who may be tempted to help him carry out illegal schemes.
"Big picture: Significant implications for U.S. government attorneys who risk their bar licenses by engaging in clearly illegal and unethical conduct," he wrote.
Related Articles Around the Web
We've had enough. The 1% own and operate the corporate media. They are doing everything they can to defend the status quo, squash dissent and protect the wealthy and the powerful. The Common Dreams media model is different. We cover the news that matters to the 99%. Our mission? To inform. To inspire. To ignite change for the common good. How? Nonprofit. Independent. Reader-supported. Free to read. Free to republish. Free to share. With no advertising. No paywalls. No selling of your data. Thousands of small donations fund our newsroom and allow us to continue publishing. Can you chip in? We can't do it without you. Thank you.