Former Justice Department official Jeff Clark, who is ensnared in several of former President Donald Trump‘s legal affairs, evaded disbarment in Washington, D.C., on Thursday.
Clark, a top DOJ official under Trump who was charged alongside him in the sweeping 2020 election subversion case in Georgia, was recommended for a two-year suspension from practicing law by the D.C. Bar’s Board on Professional Responsibility. Despite the possibility of a hefty sanction, it marks a small victory for Clark, who was threatened with complete disbarment for his actions following Trump’s electoral defeat in 2020.
Still, the panel concluded that Clark displayed “extraordinary recklessness” in his actions related to the 2020 presidential election. The disbarment complaint had accused him of making false statements about the 2020 election in a draft letter he asked the then-acting attorney general to send promoting claims of widespread election fraud.
“Clark’s personal beliefs blinded him from objectively assessing the facts and the reality of his proposed course of action,” the panel wrote in its decision, adding that he “pushed for this letter to be sent even after President Trump himself said ‘no.'”
Despite being warned that the letter contained false information and could lead to resignations and public unrest, Clark persisted.
“Mr. Clark attempted dishonesty and did so with truly extraordinary recklessness,” the panel’s decision added.
Clark has pleaded not guilty to his charges in Georgia, while Trump has maintained his innocence in both his state and federal election cases.
The former DOJ official is also listed as an “unindicted co-conspirator” in the federal 2020 election subversion case against Trump, which is slated to return to U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan’s jurisdiction on Friday after the Supreme Court ruled on July 1 that former presidents are entitled to some immunities for official acts taken while in office.
According to the recommendation, Clark could be suspended from practicing law for up to two years and be required to demonstrate his fitness to return to practice before being readmitted. This recommendation is not yet a final order; if neither Clark nor the Disciplinary Counsel files objections, the Board on Professional Responsibility will review the recommendation and may modify it.
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER
If Clark’s law license does get temporarily suspended, it could complicate any effort for him to rejoin the Trump administration immediately if the former president wins reelection.
The Washington Examiner contacted Clark for comment.