John Eastman Urges Supreme Court to Intervene in Trump’s Manhattan Conviction
John Eastman, a former law professor who faced disbarment in California and suspension in Washington D.C., is calling for an extraordinary intervention by the U.S. Supreme Court following Donald Trump’s recent conviction on 34 felony counts in the Manhattan hush-money case. Eastman, known for his controversial role in attempting to overturn the 2020 election results, made this plea during an interview on the pro-Trump streaming platform “The Absolute Truth.”
A Call for Rare Judicial Action
Eastman proposes that Trump’s legal team should file a writ of habeas corpus — specifically, an original writ — with the Supreme Court. This rare legal maneuver, which bypasses lower courts, has not been successfully granted by the Supreme Court since 1925. Despite its long odds, Eastman argues that the “extraordinary circumstances” surrounding Trump’s conviction necessitate this unusual step to prevent further unrest.
Claims of Judicial Misconduct and Due Process Violations
Eastman alleges that the conviction of the former president, who is the leading candidate for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination, is fraught with contradictions and violations of due process. He criticizes the rulings of Acting New York Supreme Court Justice Juan Merchan, suggesting these have contributed to what he terms a “judicial lynching.”
Legal Experts Skeptical of Success
However, legal experts are highly skeptical of Eastman’s proposal. Steve Vladeck, a law professor at the University of Texas, has noted the historical rarity of such writs being granted, estimating the success chance of Eastman’s suggestion as “0.0%.” Despite this, Eastman insists that the Supreme Court must recognize the dangers posed by what he calls the left’s lawfare tactics.
Political Implications and Historical Parallels
Eastman’s call to action echoes his post-2020 election defiance of court rulings affirming Joe Biden’s victory. He emphasizes the potential impact of Trump’s imprisonment on the upcoming election, warning that failing to address the alleged legal transgressions now could jeopardize the fairness of future elections.
Support from Pro-Trump Media
During his interview, Eastman found a supportive platform in Emerald Robinson, the host of “The Absolute Truth,” who has previously been dismissed from Newsmax for spreading misinformation about COVID vaccines. Both Eastman and Robinson reiterated claims of widespread fraud in the 2020 election, despite lacking specific evidence.
Eastman’s Final Warning
Eastman concluded with a dire warning, emphasizing the urgency of addressing these issues to preserve the integrity of future elections. He stressed that if corrective measures are not taken now, the possibility of having fair and free elections might be lost forever, fundamentally undermining the consent of the governed.
This unfolding situation highlights the intense legal and political battles surrounding Donald Trump’s convictions and the broader implications for the American judicial and electoral systems.
