Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani was permanently disbarred in Washington, D.C., on September 26, 2024, after facing accusations of unethical conduct for his involvement in the 2020 election challenges. This ruling follows a similar decision in New York earlier in 2023, where Giuliani was also stripped of his law license. The D.C. Court of Appeals ruled to revoke his legal credentials for pushing baseless claims of election fraud on behalf of former President Donald Trump, particularly in Pennsylvania.
Giuliani’s disbarment stems from his efforts to undermine the 2020 presidential election results, which he legally contested through various lawsuits after Trump’s loss to Joe Biden. Despite being a once-respected figure, his post-election efforts, including false and unsupported statements in court, ultimately led to his professional downfall. The disciplinary panels in both New York and D.C. determined that Giuliani violated ethical standards by presenting claims without credible evidence, further damaging his reputation as a lawyer.
Eric Adams indicted, Rudy Giuliani disbarred, Cardi dragging Offset, Diddy ugly and in jail, JLo tour still a flop. What a glorious year for New York. pic.twitter.com/XhXfhLT3DP
— nat 🇲🇸🇦🇬 (@laugh_track_nat) September 26, 2024
This disbarment comes after Giuliani’s law license was initially suspended in July 2021. Since then, the D.C. Bar’s Board of Professional Responsibility recommended his permanent disbarment, a decision he had been fighting. The ruling emphasizes his failure to provide factual support for his legal challenges and highlights the damage done by his actions, particularly regarding trust in the legal system and the integrity of elections.
Despite the gravity of the decision, Giuliani and his legal team have expressed strong opposition. Ted Goodman, a spokesperson for Giuliani, decried the disbarment as a "miscarriage of justice," accusing the decision of being politically motivated. Nonetheless, legal analysts view the ruling as a direct consequence of Giuliani’s role in Trump’s attempts to contest the election, which led to widespread controversy and a wave of disbarment actions against those involved in baseless legal challenges.
BREAKING
Rudy Giuliani has been officially disbarred in DC for his efforts to subvert the 2020 election. pic.twitter.com/4UON0yGVE2
— Republicans against Trump (@RpsAgainstTrump) September 26, 2024
This disbarment marks the end of a significant chapter for Giuliani, who once garnered national acclaim as "America’s Mayor" for his leadership during the 9/11 attacks. His association with Trump, particularly as a key figure in the 2020 election’s aftermath, has severely tarnished his legacy.
Giuliani's legal troubles are not limited to this case, as he also faces multiple defamation lawsuits related to his post-election claims, adding to his mounting legal and financial challenges.
While some conservatives view this disbarment as politically driven, many legal professionals argue that it is necessary to maintain ethical standards in the legal profession. Giuliani's downfall serves as a cautionary tale for those who engage in unethical conduct within the judiciary, regardless of their past accomplishments or political affiliations.
This ruling follows a broader trend of disciplinary actions against attorneys involved in the 2020 election subversion efforts, including Sidney Powell and other prominent Trump allies. As the legal consequences of the 2020 election continue to unfold, Giuliani's disbarment in both Washington, D.C., and New York underscores the serious ramifications for attorneys who fail to uphold legal ethics.
