John Eastman, the architect behind a scheme to present fake electors in states that Donald J. Trump lost in the 2020 election, was arraigned on Friday in Phoenix. Eastman, who advised Trump’s 2020 election campaign, is facing state criminal charges for his attempts to help Trump remain in power post-election defeat.
Eastman is the inaugural defendant among 18 charged in the Arizona case, initiated by state Attorney General Kris Mayes. The charges against him include fraud, forgery, and conspiracy.
Several other high-profile defendants are slated for arraignment next week, such as Boris Epshteyn, a current legal advisor to Trump, and Mark Meadows, a former White House chief of staff. Additionally, Rudolph W. Giuliani, Trump’s ex-personal lawyer, has been indicted in the case.
Attorney General Mayes, a Democrat, emphasized her commitment to safeguarding democracy when she filed the charges last month, stating, “I will not allow American democracy to be undermined. It’s too important.”
Eastman appeared in a modest basement courtroom in Phoenix, which featured a glass-walled holding cell where other defendants, clad in shackles and orange jumpsuits, awaited their arraignments.
Donning a blue suit, Eastman’s arraignment was brief, lasting under three minutes. The judge read him his rights, and given Eastman’s compliance, state prosecutors did not request any conditions on his release pending trial.
Following the arraignment, Eastman proclaimed, “I appeared at arraignment today on charges that in my view should have never been brought. I of course pled not guilty. I had zero communications with the electors in Arizona, zero involvement in any of the election litigation in Arizona or any legislative hearings, and I’m confident that with the laws faithfully applied, I will be fully exonerated.”
