The Justice Department has launched a lawsuit against Washington, DC’s attorney disciplinary board after officials recommended disbarring Jeffrey Clark, a close ally of President Donald Trump, over his alleged role in challenging the 2020 election results and supporting efforts to question the outcome of the presidential race.
The lawsuit against DC’s Office of Disciplinary Counsel, Board on Professional Responsibility, Court of Appeals, related authorities and the city itself argues that Clark — who in 2020 was an assistant attorney general — should not be disciplined over “internal Executive Branch deliberations.”
The Justice Department’s lawsuit comes as the Trump administration has taken a renewed interest in the 2020 election, narrowing in on Georgia — where Trump has claimed the election was rigged. For example, the Justice Department has subpoenaed Fulton County — home of Atlanta — for 2020 election workers’ personal information.
But D.C. disciplinary authorities may not punish a United States official for disagreeing with a superior or coworker or for sharing an opinion just because those disciplinary authorities disagree with it,” the lawsuit adds.
It goes on to claim that such disciplinary actions will set a chilling precedent.
“Weaponizing state bar discipline against Executive Branch attorneys in this way chills them from giving candid legal advice to others in the Executive Branch, including the President and Attorney General,” the lawsuit says.
Clark said in a social media post on X that the lawsuit “is an important step to vindicate the separation of powers.
YOUR OPINION MATTERS
Is this a fight for justice… or political retaliation?
Why is the DOJ stepping in now?
Could this case reshape the legal battle surrounding Trump allies?
And is America’s justice system becoming more politically divided than ever before?
Americans are sounding off nationwide — what do YOU think?
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