The District of Columbia Court of Appeals Board on Professional Responsibility Ad Hoc Hearing Committee has recommended that Rudy Giuliani, former New York City mayor and attorney for Donald Trump, be disbarred for filing a frivolous lawsuit in an attempt to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election and keep Trump in the White House.
The committee found Giuliani’s lawsuit to be without factual basis and lacking legitimate legal grounds. It accused him of attempting to disenfranchise hundreds of thousands of Pennsylvania voters and undermine the democratic process. Giuliani claimed widespread election fraud but failed to provide any evidence to support his claims.
According to the committee’s report, Giuliani’s lawsuit caused an excessive waste of resources in the District Court, the Third Circuit, and for multiple defendants. It described the lawsuit as “frivolous” and highlighted Giuliani’s lack of remorse and dishonesty.
The committee emphasized the broader context in which Giuliani’s misconduct occurred, stating that it was calculated to undermine the fundamental principle of democracy that elections are determined by the voters. It argued that his actions were part of a nationwide cascade of litigation aimed at overturning the presidential election.
The committee concluded that Giuliani’s misconduct was unprecedented and had a destructive purpose and effect. It accused him of seeking to disrupt a presidential election and refusing to acknowledge the wrong he had done. Therefore, the committee unanimously recommended that Giuliani be disbarred.
The right to vote is the “essence of a democratic society.” . Respondent’s frivolous lawsuit attempted unjustifiably and without precedent to disenfranchise hundreds of thousands of Pennsylvania voters, and ultimately sought to undermine the results of the 2020 presidential election. He claimed massive election fraud but had no evidence of it. By prosecuting that destructive case Mr. Giuliani, a sworn officer of the Court, forfeited his right to practice law. He should be disbarred.
“We cannot blind ourselves to the broader context in which Mr. Giuliani’s misconduct took place,” it argued. “It was calculated to undermine the basic premise of our democratic form of government: that elections are determined by the voters. The Pennsylvania claims were carefully calibrated to blend into a nationwide cascade of litigation intended to overturn the presidential election.”
The committee continued:
The misconduct here sadly transcends all his past accomplishments. It was unparalleled in its destructive purpose and effect. He sought to disrupt a presidential election and persists in his refusal to acknowledge the wrong he has done. For these reasons, we unanimously recommend that Mr. Giuliani be disbarred.
