Ex-Trump Lawyer John Eastman Pleads Not Guilty in Arizona

Indictment Alleges Election Conspiracies

EASTMAN, PLEA, NOT GUILTY, CONSPIRACY, ARIZONA

Former President Donald Trump's lawyer John Eastman pleaded not guilty on Friday in Phoenix to federal charges related to his alleged participation in a scheme to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election.

Eastman, who was indicted by a grand jury in June, is accused of conspiring to obstruct an official proceeding - Congress's certification of the Electoral College results - by drafting memos and advising Trump and his allies on how to challenge the election outcome.

The indictment alleges that Eastman knew that Trump had lost the election but nevertheless promoted false claims of widespread voter fraud and urged Trump to take steps to stay in power, including by pressuring state officials to change the results.

Eastman's plea comes as the Justice Department continues to investigate Trump's efforts to overturn the election. Several of Trump's allies have already been convicted of crimes related to the scheme, and it is possible that Trump himself could face criminal charges.

Conclusion

Eastman's plea is a significant development in the ongoing investigation into Trump's attempt to overturn the election. It is a sign that the Justice Department is taking these allegations seriously and that it is willing to pursue charges against those who participated in the scheme, regardless of their political affiliation.