{"id":2649922,"date":"2026-08-26T12:20:02","date_gmt":"2026-08-26T16:20:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/utm_sourcerssutm_mediumrssutm_campaignformer-ags-blast-dc-bars-disciplinary-jihad-against-jeff-clark\/"},"modified":"2026-08-26T12:26:43","modified_gmt":"2026-08-26T16:26:43","slug":"utm_sourcerssutm_mediumrssutm_campaignformer-ags-blast-dc-bars-disciplinary-jihad-against-jeff-clark","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/utm_sourcerssutm_mediumrssutm_campaignformer-ags-blast-dc-bars-disciplinary-jihad-against-jeff-clark\/","title":{"rendered":"Former AGs Blast DC Bar&#8217;s &#8216;Disciplinary Jihad&#8217; Against Jeff Clark"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">20<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Futm_sourcerssutm_mediumrssutm_campaignformer-ags-blast-dc-bars-disciplinary-jihad-against-jeff-clark%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2649922&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>A coalition of former attorneys general, including Bill Barr, Jeff Sessions, and michael Mukasey, filed an amicus brief defending Jeff Clark against the D.C. Bar\u2019s disciplinary actions. The brief argues that the Bar&#8217;s move to sanction Clark for internal legal advice related to the 2020 election amid the contested results is a violation of the separation of powers and the McDade Amendment. The DOJ contends that disciplinary measures against Clark unjustly interfere with internal deliberations and legal strategies, perhaps discouraging lawful internal discussions within the Department of Justice. the case involves claims that the D.C.Bar\u2019s efforts stem from reports suggesting Clark participated in efforts to challenge the 2020 election results,though Clark declined certain actions following objections. The DOJ emphasizes the importance of protecting confidential internal legal advice from outside regulatory interference, and the legal proceedings are overseen by Judge Richard Leon, with recent judicial actions interrupted by Supreme Court decisions. The article highlights concerns about governmental overreach and the importance of safeguarding internal legal processes from political or peripheral disciplinary actions.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"article-body body-md bdr-top-black pt-30\">\n<div class=\"row justify-content-center\">\n<div class=\"col-12\">\n<figure class=\"article-thumbnail mb-30 mb-sm-60\">\n<div class=\"article-thumbnail-caption d-flex align-items-center justify-content-md-end label-xs mt-15\">         <i class=\"mdi mdi-camera me-10\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>         <span class=\"visually-hidden\">Image Credit<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Donald_Trump_and_William_Barr.jpg\">The United States Department of Justice\/Wikimedia Commons<\/a>       <\/div>\n<\/figure><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"article-share text-center article-share-simple\">\n<h5 class=\"label-sm mb-10\">Share<\/h5>\n<ul class=\"article-share-list list-unstyled m-0 p-0\">\n<li class=\"article-share-facebook m-0\">       <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer\/sharer.php?u=https:\/\/thefederalist.com\/2026\/08\/26\/former-ags-blast-dc-bars-disciplinary-jihad-against-jeff-clark\/\" target=\"_blank\">         <i class=\"mdi mdi-facebook\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>         <span class=\"visually-hidden\">Share Article on Facebook<\/span>       <\/a>     <\/li>\n<li class=\"article-share-twitter m-0\">       <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=Former AGs Blast DC Bar\u2019s \u2018Disciplinary Jihad\u2019 Against Jeff Clark&#038;url=https:\/\/thefederalist.com\/2026\/08\/26\/former-ags-blast-dc-bars-disciplinary-jihad-against-jeff-clark\/\" target=\"_blank\">         <i class=\"mdi mdi-twitter\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>         <span class=\"visually-hidden\">Share Article on Twitter<\/span>       <\/a>     <\/li>\n<li class=\"article-share-truth-social m-0\">       <a href=\"https:\/\/truthsocial.com\/share?title=Former AGs Blast DC Bar\u2019s \u2018Disciplinary Jihad\u2019 Against Jeff Clark&#038;url=https:\/\/thefederalist.com\/2026\/08\/26\/former-ags-blast-dc-bars-disciplinary-jihad-against-jeff-clark\/\" target=\"_blank\">         <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" fill=\"currentColor\" style=\"width:36px;height:auto;\" viewbox=\"0 0 92 93\"><path d=\"M69.444 55.716H56.772v10.37h12.672zM64.487 37.795V27.32H38.666v38.664h13.18v-28.19zM21.05 27.321h12.653v10.471H21.051z\"https:\/\/thefederalist.com\/><\/svg>         <span class=\"visually-hidden\">Share Article on Truth Social<\/span>       <\/a>     <\/li>\n<li class=\"article-share-link m-0\">       <button data-clipboard-text=\"https:\/\/thefederalist.com\/2026\/08\/26\/former-ags-blast-dc-bars-disciplinary-jihad-against-jeff-clark\/\" data-tooltip-content=\"Copied!\" class=\"clip tooltip\">         <i class=\"mdi mdi-link-variant\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>         <span class=\"visually-hidden\">Copy Article Link<\/span>       <\/button>     <\/li>\n<li class=\"article-share-email m-0\">       <a href=\"mailto:?subject=Former AGs Blast DC Bar\u2019s \u2018Disciplinary Jihad\u2019 Against Jeff Clark&#038;body=%20https:\/\/thefederalist.com\/2026\/08\/26\/former-ags-blast-dc-bars-disciplinary-jihad-against-jeff-clark\/\" target=\"_blank\">         <i class=\"mdi mdi-email\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>         <span class=\"visually-hidden\">Share Article via Email<\/span>       <\/a>     <\/li>\n<li class=\"article-share-email m-0\"><span class=\"printfriendly pf-button  pf-alignleft\">                     <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"http:\/\/thefederalist.com\/#\" rel=\"nofollow\" onclick=\"window.print(); pfTrackEvent(&#039;Former AGs Blast DC Bar\u2019s \u2018Disciplinary Jihad\u2019 Against Jeff Clark&#039;); return false;\" title=\"Printer Friendly, PDF &#038; Email\">                     <span id=\"printfriendly-text2\" class=\"pf-button-text\"><i class=\"mdi mdi-printer\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i><\/span>                     <\/a>                 <\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul><\/div>\n<div class=\"pf-content\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A coalition of former attorneys general blasted the D.C. Bar\u2019s \u201cdisciplinary jihad\u201d against former Trump Justice Department official <a href=\"https:\/\/thefederalist.com\/tag\/jeff-clark\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Jeff Clark<\/a> in a new court filing on Monday. <\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Brought by former Attorneys General Bill Barr, Jeff Sessions, and Michael Mukasey, the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.courtlistener.com\/docket\/73338949\/45\/1\/united-states-v-fox\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">amicus brief<\/a> takes aim at the D.C. Bar\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/thefederalist.com\/2025\/08\/01\/corrupt-dc-bar-moves-to-disbar-jeff-clark-after-restoring-license-of-russiagate-felon-kevin-clinesmith\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">ongoing \u201cbarfare\u201d<\/a> against Clark for legal advice he gave Trump following the contested 2020 presidential election. As The Federalist <a href=\"https:\/\/thefederalist.com\/2026\/05\/14\/trump-doj-challenges-leftist-barfare-with-lawsuit-targeting-jeff-clarks-dc-persecutors\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">reported<\/a>, the DOJ filed a lawsuit against D.C. Disciplinary Counsel Hamilton Fox III and related entities earlier this year for their alleged \u201cunlawful prosecution\u201d of Clark \u201cbased on internal deliberations relating to potential fraud\u201d in the 2020 contest.<\/p>\n<div id=\"fdrlst__b89e9-721032684\" class=\"d-flex justify-content-center fdrlst__b89e9-paragraph-2 fdrlst__b89e9-entity-placement\">\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-1463670073398-0\" class=\"mb-30\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cD.C. disciplinary authorities may not punish a United States official for disagreeing with a superior or coworker or for sharing an opinion just because those disciplinary authorities disagree with it,\u201d the DOJ complaint reads. <\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In their brief supporting the Justice Department, Barr and Co. argued that the D.C. Bar\u2019s crusade against Clark imposes \u201ca severe injury on the Department and its lawyers.\u201d \u201cEven if Mr. Clark is cleared of all allegations,\u201d they wrote, \u201cthe Defendants\u2019 ruination of his name, damage to his career, and \u2014 most important \u2014 interference with DOJ\u2019s internal operations all cast a chilling pall over how Department lawyers do their jobs.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWhile <em>amici<\/em> may not have agreed with the legal strategy then-Assistant Attorney General Clark advanced, we believe that only DOJ and, if necessary, the President, may discipline or punish a senior DOJ lawyer for privileged and confidential internal deliberations, such as providing legal advice, weighing the credibility and importance of evidence, and recommending a course of action,\u201d the filing reads. \u201cThat\u2019s especially so here where the advice and deliberations concerned matters of the highest importance and sensitivity.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As The Federalist\u2019s Jordan Boyd previously <a href=\"https:\/\/thefederalist.com\/2026\/05\/14\/trump-doj-challenges-leftist-barfare-with-lawsuit-targeting-jeff-clarks-dc-persecutors\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">summarized<\/a>, the D.C. Bar\u2019s campaign against Clark reportedly originated from a report \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/www.judiciary.senate.gov\/imo\/media\/doc\/Interim%20Staff%20Report%20FINAL.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">alleging<\/a> Clark played a key role in a plot to \u2018wield [the] DOJ\u2019s power to override the already-certified popular vote\u2019 when he <a href=\"https:\/\/thefederalist.com\/2023\/10\/02\/obama-judge-rejects-removal-of-fulton-county-case-to-federal-court-where-jeff-clark-could-get-a-fair-trial\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">drafted<\/a> a letter to Georgia officials noting the DOJ \u2018identified significant concerns that may have impacted the outcome of the [2020] election in multiple States\u2019 including the Peach State.\u201d While Clark declined to send the letter following objections from his superiors and \u201ca pivot from the president,\u201d the D.C. Bar nonetheless launched a bid to strip his law license. <\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In opposing Fox and co-defendants\u2019 motion to dismiss the DOJ\u2019s suit, the former attorneys general warned that the D.C. Bar\u2019s \u201cjihad\u201d against Clark will cause agency attorneys to \u201cself-censor\u201d if they believe that their internal legal advice and deliberations will be subject to potential disciplinary bar action. They further blasted defendants\u2019 \u201cna\u00efve\u201d arguments \u201cthat in a fast moving, high-pressure environment what is \u2018fact\u2019 and what is \u2018true\u2019 will be so obvious to all honest lawyers as to preclude discussion or intense debate.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cAllowing a D.C. professional licensing body to investigate, prosecute, or discipline DOJ attorneys for such internal deliberative actions obviously injures the Department by subjecting it to oversight from local authorities not under Presidential control. This intrusion violates the Separation of Powers doctrine and is precluded by the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.congress.gov\/crs_external_products\/RS\/PDF\/RS21092\/RS21092.3.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">McDade Amendment<\/a>,\u201d the brief reads. <\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-x wp-block-embed-x\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\"> <span class=\"xq5GodbxzrMpnfc6Zs9cn1jW7fJhmKJRBM2vKhLuSVw5t4TeW9jCEz8vOXGXdVZlkBR2aqCgS\"><\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"500\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">\ud83d\udea8NEW: Can the D.C. Bar police the content of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/jeff-clarks-yearslong-disbarment-fight-tests-reach-of-dc-bar-over-trump-doj\/\" title=\"Jeff ...\u2019s yearslong disbarment fight tests reach of DC Bar over Trump DOJ\">internal executive branch deliberations<\/a>? <\/p>\n<p>A new amicus brief BG filed yesterday on behalf of former U.S. Attorneys General Bill Barr, Jeff Sessions, and Michael Mukasey explains why the answer must be \u201cno.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The brief was filed in\u2026<\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Boyden Gray PLLC (@BoydenGrayPLLC) <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/BoydenGrayPLLC\/status\/2092289253631992263?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">August 25, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.x.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/span> <\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">D.C. District Senior Judge Richard Leon is the judge <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pacermonitor.com\/public\/case\/64636165\/UNITED_STATES_OF_AMERICA_v_FOX_et_al\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">presiding<\/a> over <em>United States v. Fox<\/em>, according to court records. The Bush 43 appointee has garnered headlines in recent months for blocking Trump\u2019s White House ballroom construction. Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts <a href=\"https:\/\/thefederalist.com\/2026\/08\/21\/scotus-pauses-blockade-on-trumps-white-house-ballroom-construction\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">paused<\/a> Leon\u2019s injunction in an order issued last week. <\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator\">\n<div class=\"article-author-description fst-italic\">      Shawn Fleetwood is a staff writer for The Federalist and a graduate of the University of Mary Washington. He is a co-recipient of the 2025 Dao Prize for Excellence in Investigative Journalism. His work has been featured in numerous outlets, including RealClearPolitics and RealClearHealth. Follow him on Twitter @ShawnFleetwood<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"article-author mt-30 mt-sm-60 pt-30 bdr-top-bold-black\">\n<div class=\"row g-0 align-items-center\">\n<div class=\"col-12 col-md-6\">\n<div class=\"article-author-profile d-flex align-items-center justify-content-center justify-content-md-start\">\n<div class=\"article-author-details\">\n<div class=\"label-md\">Shawn Fleetwood<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-author-twitter label-sm d-flex align-items-center mt-10\">             <i class=\"mdi mdi-twitter me-5\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>             <span class=\"visually-hidden\">Visit on Twitter<\/span>            <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/ShawnFleetwood\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"text-decoration-none\">@ShawnFleetwood<\/a>           <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"col-12 col-md-6 d-flex justify-content-center justify-content-md-end mt-15 mt-md-0\">        <a href=\"https:\/\/thefederalist.com\/author\/shawnfleetwood\/\" class=\"btn btn-black btn-small\">More Articles<\/a>     <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"article-tags no-print bdr-top-black mt-30 mt-sm-60 pt-15 pt-md-45\">\n<ul class=\"list-unstyled d-flex flex-wrap align-items-center mb-0 mx-n10 p-0\">\n<li class=\"mt-10 mx-10\"><a href=\"https:\/\/thefederalist.com\/tag\/2020-election\/\" class=\"btn btn-black btn-small\">2020 Election<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"mt-10 mx-10\"><a href=\"https:\/\/thefederalist.com\/tag\/attorney-general\/\" class=\"btn btn-black btn-small\">Attorney General<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"mt-10 mx-10\"><a href=\"https:\/\/thefederalist.com\/tag\/barfare\/\" class=\"btn btn-black btn-small\">barfare<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"mt-10 mx-10\"><a href=\"https:\/\/thefederalist.com\/tag\/bill-barr\/\" class=\"btn btn-black btn-small\">Bill Barr<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"mt-10 mx-10\"><a href=\"https:\/\/thefederalist.com\/tag\/dc-bar\/\" class=\"btn btn-black btn-small\">DC Bar<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"mt-10 mx-10\"><a href=\"https:\/\/thefederalist.com\/tag\/jeff-clark\/\" class=\"btn btn-black btn-small\">Jeff Clark<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"mt-10 mx-10\"><a href=\"https:\/\/thefederalist.com\/tag\/jeff-sessions\/\" class=\"btn btn-black btn-small\">Jeff Sessions<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"mt-10 mx-10\"><a href=\"https:\/\/thefederalist.com\/tag\/justice-department\/\" class=\"btn btn-black btn-small\">Justice Department<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"mt-10 mx-10\"><a href=\"https:\/\/thefederalist.com\/tag\/lawfare\/\" class=\"btn btn-black btn-small\">lawfare<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"mt-10 mx-10\"><a href=\"https:\/\/thefederalist.com\/tag\/michael-mukasey\/\" class=\"btn btn-black btn-small\">Michael Mukasey<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"mt-10 mx-10\"><a href=\"https:\/\/thefederalist.com\/tag\/trump-administration\/\" class=\"btn btn-black btn-small\">Trump Administration<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Ex-AGs oppose D.C. Bar\u2019s attack on Jeff Clark in court<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":539,"featured_media":2649923,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/thefederalist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Bill-Barr.jpg","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[50410,46857,4901,4431,5894],"class_list":["post-2649922","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","tag-controversy-2","tag-dc-bar","tag-justice","tag-legal","tag-politics"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/thefederalist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Bill-Barr.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2649922","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/539"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2649922"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2649922\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2649927,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2649922\/revisions\/2649927"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2649923"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2649922"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2649922"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2649922"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}