Lee urges review of Eastman's disbarment
Mike LeeU.S. senator for Utah
Lee joins the argument that discipline for disputed legal advocacy infringes speech rights.
“Action: Submitted a joint amicus brief with Ted Cruz urging Supreme Court review of John Eastman's California disbarment.”
Original text
Where this statement fits
Ted Cruz and Mike Lee urge Supreme Court review of John Eastman's disbarment
The California Supreme Court disbarred John Eastman on April 15, 2026 after disciplinary proceedings over his work concerning the 2020 election. On October 14, Ted Cruz and Mike Lee submitted a Supreme Court brief urging review. They argue that the discipline punishes protected advocacy and chills independent legal representation. The State Bar said in April that the discipline was warranted by clear and convincing evidence that Eastman advanced false claims about the 2020 election, and that attorneys must act honestly regardless of the client they represent. It waived its right to respond to the petition on October 9. The docket lists a pending petition, not a decision on the discipline.
Source and context
Original text
About this source
Amicus brief submitted October 14, 2026 on behalf of both senators. It argues that the disbarment violates the Free Speech and Petition Clauses and asks the Court to grant review.
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The joint brief names both senators as amici supporting Eastman.
After the quotation
The docket lists the submission and a pending petition, not a reversal of the sanction.
How this statement is classified
The label describes this statement's response within the context above.
Why this label?
Relative to Eastman's disbarment, the brief Lee joined argues that the sanction punishes protected legal advocacy and fails strict scrutiny. That criticizes the disbarment itself rather than how it is described.
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More from this case
Read the full caseCruz urges review of Eastman's disbarment
“Action: Submitted a joint amicus brief with Mike Lee urging Supreme Court review of John Eastman's California disbarment.”Read statement
State Bar says the evidence warranted Eastman's disbarment
State Bar of California
“After extensive proceedings before the State Bar Court’s Hearing and Review Departments, both of which found Mr. Eastman culpable of serious ethical violations, the Court has imposed the discipline warranted by the clear and convincing evidence that he advanced false claims about the 2020 presidential election to mislead courts, public officials, and the American public.”Read statement
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The Dispute Index. "Lee urges review of Eastman's disbarment". First published: 2026-10-15. Last updated: 2026-10-15. https://disputeindex.com/events/5759-lee-joins-the-argument-that-discipline-for-disputed