Rudy Giuliani faces possible expulsion from the New York State Bar in the wake of inflammatory remarks he made to supporters of President Donald Trump last week before they stormed the U.S. Capitol.
The organization reported Monday that it has opened an investigation into whether Giuliani should remain one of its members. Its bylaws state that “no person who advocates to overthrow the United States government” will remain a member.
Expulsion from the Bar Association, a voluntary membership organization dating back to 1876, is not the same as losing the right to practice law. That can only be done by the courts.
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A message was sent to Giuliani’s spokesman seeking comment. The Bar Association added that Giuliani will be afforded due process of law and will have the opportunity to explain and defend his statements and actions.
The U.S. Capitol was forced to close its doors Wednesday, with lawmakers inside, after violent clashes broke out between supporters of President Donald Trump and the police.
Protesters tore down the metal barricades at the foot of the Capitol steps.
The White House reports that the National Guard and federal police are going to the Capitol to help remove occupation from Trump supporters.
Trump urged Vice President Mike Pence, who will play a largely ceremonial role in the process, to prevent certification of Biden’s victory, even though the vice president does not have that power.
The protesters stormed the United States Congress on Wednesday after breaking down several security fences and confronting the Police, who have been overwhelmed, causing chaotic scenes in the American capital.
A woman is helped by the Police during the demonstration at the Capitol.
The Capitol Police tried to stop the protesters from entering.
Police aim their pistols at protesters trying to enter the Capitol.
The two chambers declared themselves in recess, forcing the Electoral College to suspend the debate.
Giuliani, the former mayor of New York City, is Trump’s personal attorney and has played an important role in the Republican president’s fight to reverse his electoral defeat to President-elect Joe Biden, a Democrat.
The Bar Association said it has received hundreds of complaints about Giuliani’s actions to perpetuate Trump’s unsubstantiated allegations of electoral fraud, which included the intense statements last Wednesday in Washington as Congress met to confirm the triumph of the Biden Electoral College.
“If we are wrong, we will make a fool of ourselves, but if we are right, many of them will go to prison,” Giuliani declared to a crowd. “Let’s fight for a trial.”
The Bar Association said in a statement that Giuliani’s remarks “were clearly intended to encourage Trump supporters dissatisfied with the outcome of the election to figure things out on their own.”
New Jersey Democratic Rep. Andy Kim joined efforts to clean up the Capitol rotunda early Thursday morning. (Andrew Harnik)
Employees cleaned the dust residue from the statuary pedestals in Statuary Hall, inside the Capitol. (SHAWN THEW)
South Carolina Republican Senator Tim Scott watches the damage inside the federal Capitol following the Wednesday afternoon riots. (Andrew Harnik)
A federal employee cleans the outside area of the office of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, one of which was invaded by mutineers. (J. Scott Applewhite)
Maintenance workers cleaned the exterior of the Capitol, which the morning after Wednesday’s violent riot looked peaceful. (Julio Cortez)
Agents from the Secret Service assault team were inspecting the capitol rotunda once they and other law enforcement units controlled violent protesters loyal to President Donald Trump who stormed the Capitol until late Wednesday night. (J. Scott Applewhite)
A National Guard soldier stands guard on a quiet Capitol as maintenance workers erected a security fence around the perimeter. (John Minchillo)
On Wednesday afternoon, protesters loyal to President Donald Trump responded to his call to go to the Capitol, where they soon after turned violent. (Jose Luis Magana)
One of the first manifestations of violence and damage was suffered by members of the press who had been covering the incidents since Wednesday afternoon. (Jose Luis Magana)
