WASHINGTON, D.C. – Jeffrey Clark, a former Department of Justice official and key ally of former President Donald Trump, has been found to have violated professional conduct rules by assisting in Trump’s efforts to overturn the 2020 election results in Georgia. A three-member ethics panel in Washington, D.C. reached this preliminary decision on Thursday, opening the door for potential disciplinary actions against Clark. The disciplinary counsel is reportedly seeking the revocation of Clark’s law license. Clark, who has been licensed to practice in D.C. since 1997, could face suspension or disbarment. The final decision on any sanctions will be made in the coming months by the ethics panel.
During the six-day hearing, Clark was accused of participating in a “coup” within the Department of Justice after the 2020 election. Investigators from D.C.’s Office of Disciplinary Counsel presented evidence that Clark had held meetings with Trump that violated department protocols and pressured his superiors to issue a letter suggesting that President Joe Biden’s victory was fraudulent. The exact charges violated by Clark have not been specified by the panel.
Clark, age 56, did not testify in his own defense, invoking his constitutional right against self-incrimination. He argued that various privileges, including attorney-client privilege, protected him from having to answer questions. When asked for whom he was the attorney, Clark responded that he represented President Trump, who he referred to as the head of the executive branch and sole head of Article Two of the U.S. government. This statement deviated from the norm, as Justice Department employees typically identify their client as the United States of America.
Clark was indicted last year in Fulton County, Georgia, along with Trump and 17 others, for their actions to undermine the election results. He pleaded not guilty to charges, including violating Georgia’s Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act. The trial is ongoing.
The potential disciplinary actions against Clark highlight the continuing legal challenges faced by those involved in the attempt to overturn the 2020 election. Critics argue that these efforts undermined the democratic process and raised serious concerns about the role of the Department of Justice. As the panel’s final decision awaits and the trial in Georgia progresses, the consequences for Clark’s involvement in Trump’s election subversion may soon become clear.