Former Trump Lawyer John Eastman Pleads Not Guilty in Arizona Election Conspiracy Case

Former Donald Trump lawyer John Eastman pleaded not guilty in Phoenix on Friday on charges related to allegedly participating in a conspiracy to overturn the 2020 election results in Arizona. A grand jury in Arizona handed up indictments last month charging Eastman and over a dozen more Trump allies for their efforts to overturn his 2020 election defeat, including the fake electors from that state and several individuals connected to his campaign. While Trump is not among those charged in Arizona, the details in the indictment suggest he is “Unindicted Coconspirator 1.”

Eastman, who is the first defendant charged in the Arizona case to appear in court, confidently stated, “I, of course, plead not guilty. I’m confident that, with the laws faithfully applied, I will be exonerated at the end of this process.” Eastman was released from custody without conditions.

The indictment against Eastman stems from his involvement in pushing fringe legal theories for overturning the 2020 election results and being intimately involved in the fake electors scheme. He devised a multi-step plan for then-Vice President Mike Pence to overturn the election and advised Trump on plots to disrupt Congress’ certification of the results.

Despite wanting to keep practicing law to represent clients and pay his own legal bills as he fights criminal charges, an attorney discipline judge in California rejected Eastman’s request to reactivate his law license following her recent recommendation that he be disbarred.

The case against Eastman and other Trump allies in Arizona is expected to unfold in the coming weeks, with each defendant scheduled to appear in court. The seriousness of the charges and potential consequences, including the impact on law licenses and liberty if convicted, highlight the gravity of the situation.

This story has been updated with additional details, and CNN’s Jack Hannah contributed to this report. Stay tuned for further developments in this high-profile legal battle.