In a surprising twist, long-standing anti-LGBTQ+ activist John Eastman finds himself in the spotlight as one of the unindicted co-conspirators mentioned in Tuesday’s indictment of former President Donald Trump. Special Counsel Jack Smith’s 45-page indictment lays out four counts related to Trump’s efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election, including conspiracy to defraud the United States and obstructing the official proceeding. While six co-conspirators were cited anonymously, news outlets have unmasked five of them, with Eastman’s attorney confirming his identity as “Co-Conspirator 2.” The indictment accuses him of devising a strategy to obstruct the certification of the election by leveraging the Vice President’s ceremonial role.
From Marriage Equality Activism to Controversy
Before becoming entangled in the Trump indictment, John Eastman was best known for his fervent activism against marriage equality. He chaired the National Organization for Marriage in 2011, an organization dedicated to opposing same-sex marriage, even likening the fight against marriage equality to the battle against slavery during NOM’s March for Marriage in 2014. Despite Eastman’s efforts, courts eventually struck down many of the same-sex marriage bans he advocated for in various states.
Far-Reaching Controversial Stances
Eastman’s controversial viewpoints extended beyond marriage equality, as he voiced support for Uganda’s criminalization of homosexuality, questioned Vice President Kamala Harris’s eligibility based on her parents’ citizenship, and fiercely opposed LGBTQ-inclusive education in schools. The former law professor at Chapman University faced significant backlash for spreading baseless claims about election fraud during the pro-Trump rally that culminated in the U.S. Capitol insurrection on January 6, 2021.
The Unveiling of Co-Conspirator 2
In light of the U.S. House committee’s investigation into January 6 events, Eastman’s name resurfaced, as emails revealed his entreaty for a presidential pardon and communications with Ginni Thomas, the wife of Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas. Despite the controversies surrounding him, Eastman’s attorney, Harvey Silverglate, maintains that his client’s actions were not criminal but rather a lawyer fulfilling their duty to offer unconventional theories, emphasizing the constitutional right to effective legal representation.
As the nation awaits further developments on the Trump indictment, the identity of the sixth co-conspirator, described as a political consultant, remains a mystery. Eastman’s involvement in the indictment highlights the intersection of political activism and legal implications, stirring debates within the LGBTQ+ community and beyond.
