Afternoon Briefs: Lawyers seek Rudy Giuliani's suspension; scholars support post-presidency impeachment power
Rudy Giuliani. Image from Shutterstock.com.
Dozens of high-profile lawyers seek Rudy Giuliani’s suspension
Dozens of high-profile lawyers have signed a letter to New York disciplinary authorities calling for an ethics investigation and interim suspension of lawyer Rudy Giuliani. The letter by a group called Lawyers Defending American Democracy alleges that Giuliani violated ethics rules in his representation of President Donald Trump and the Trump campaign. The letter cites alleged false statements of widespread vote fraud, frivolous claims in election suits, and Giuliani’s call for “trial by combat” when addressing Trump supporters. Giuliani said on his radio show Thursday the intent of the letter “is to disbar me from my exercising my right of free speech and defending my client.” (Law.com, the New York Times, Bloomberg Law, the letter)
Scholars say former presidents can be impeached
More than 170 constitutional scholars have signed a letter opining that the Constitution permits the impeachment of former presidents. They argue that the impeachment power of Congress has two aspects: the power of removal from office and disqualification from holding future office. (Law.com, the letter)
SCOTUS extends telephonic oral arguments amid pandemic
The U.S. Supreme Court is holding February oral arguments by telephone, extending a program of remote arguments that began in May 2020. Justices and lawyers will all participate remotely. Justices are taking the precaution despite getting vaccines. Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. has received both doses of the coronavirus vaccine, and other justices were in the process of receiving them, a court spokeswoman said last week. (@SCOTUSblog tweet, Supreme Court press release, SCOTUSblog)
Judge rejects NRA bid to dismiss New York lawsuit
A New York judge on Thursday refused to dismiss or transfer a state lawsuit seeking to dissolve the National Rifle Association for alleged misuse of funds. The NRA had announced last week that it was filing for bankruptcy and reincorporating in Texas to escape New York’s “toxic political environment.” Judge Joel Cohen of the Manhattan Supreme Court ruled after a lawyer for New York Attorney General Letitia James argued that her office may continue its dissolution suit despite the bankruptcy filing because it is enforcing police and regulatory power. (Reuters, NPR)
