Former President Donald Trump’s former lawyer John Eastman pleaded not guilty Friday to charges of conspiring to overturn the results of the 2020 Arizona election.
Eastman is among more than a dozen Trump allies who were indicted in the state last monthIncluding former White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows, former Trump lawyer Rudy Giuliani and former Trump aide Boris Epstein.
Outside the courthouse after his plea, Eastman said, “Of course, I pleaded not guilty. I had no contact with the voters in Arizona, I had no contact in any election court or legislative hearings in Arizona. And I am sure that under the laws that are faithfully applied, this I will be fully acquitted at the end of the process.”
Eastman is the first of the group to plead not guilty. He is also Trump’s co-defendant in a separate case in Georgia in which prosecutors allege Trump worked with lawyers and aides to derail the 2020 presidential election.
Eastman too he pleaded not guilty In the case of Georgia.
After the 2020 presidential election, Eastman is alleged to have attempted to overturn the election results by convening an alternative caucus to the Electoral College in Arizona. He also participated in the development of a plan to ensure that Congress does not ratify the results of the 2020 presidential election on January 6, 2021.
Eastman faces professional repercussions for his behavior, including potential dismissal. A California judge in March recommended to be excluded in the state.
An additional 10 defendants in the Arizona case are expected to be arraigned next week.
Von Hillyard contributed.