Ex-Trump lawyer John Eastman reportedly withholding about 3,200 documents from Jan. 6 committee

John Eastman, a far-right lawyer who worked with former President Donald Trump to contest the outcome of the 2020 election, still has yet to turn over approximately 3,200 Trump-related documents to the House select committee investigating the Jan. 6 Capitol riot, CNN reports, per a new court filing.
Previously, Eastman was ordered to turn over 101 documents following an unsuccessful bid to safeguard some of his emails between Jan. 4 and Jan. 7, 2021, as confidential legal communications pertaining to Trump. Since then, the lawyer has "continued to work through nearly 100,000 pages of emails from his Chapman University account that the House Committee seeks from other dates around the election," CNN writes.
Eastman is claiming the thousands of documents should stay private and confidential — an argument a federal judge in California may continue to weigh.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
The judge's previous ruling that forced Eastman to fork over the 101 documents was a "pivotal moment in the investigation," and a setback for Eastman, CNN writes.
The ongoing lawsuit also serves as a reminder that the select committee is "tied up in court on multiple fronts," trying to enforce their subpoenas.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Brigid Kennedy worked at The Week from 2021 to 2023 as a staff writer, junior editor and then story editor, with an interest in U.S. politics, the economy and the music industry.
-
Amazon's James Bond deal could mean a new future for 007
In the Spotlight The franchise had previously been owned by the Broccoli family for its entirety
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
Why are Republicans suddenly panicking about DOGE?
TODAY'S BIG QUESTION As Trump and Musk take a chainsaw to the federal government, a growing number of Republicans worry that the massive cuts are hitting a little too close to home
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
What is JD Vance's Net Worth?
In Depth The vice president is rich. But not nearly as wealthy as his boss and many of his boss' appointees
By David Faris Published
-
Why are Republicans suddenly panicking about DOGE?
TODAY'S BIG QUESTION As Trump and Musk take a chainsaw to the federal government, a growing number of Republicans worry that the massive cuts are hitting a little too close to home
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
What is JD Vance's net worth?
In Depth The vice president is rich. But not nearly as wealthy as his boss and many of his boss' appointees
By David Faris Published
-
'It also means the start of a virtuous ecological cycle'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
Mitch McConnell won't seek reelection
Speed Read The longest-serving Senate party leader is retiring
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Trump reportedly wants to take over US Postal Service
Speed Read President Trump is making plans to disband the leadership of USPS and absorb the agency into his administration
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
New FBI Director Kash Patel could profit heavily from foreign interests
The Explainer Patel holds more than $1 million in Chinese fashion company Shein
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
Trump's Ukraine about-face puts GOP hawks in the hot seat
IN THE SPOTLIGHT The president's pro-Russia pivot has alienated allies, emboldened adversaries, and placed members of his party in an uncomfortable position
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Trump seeks to end New York's congestion pricing
Speed Read The MTA quickly filed a lawsuit to stop the move
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published