Jeh Johnson:
Well, first of all, our report — the task force that authored our report were not just lawyers. We had historians, scholars, businessmen.
And so we do say in the report that lawyers have been part of the problem and lawyers must be part of the solution. Lawyers are uniquely trained in the Constitution, in the law, in the rule of law, in how our democracy works.
And so what we’re recommending is that, at the state level, where professional responsibility is regulated and disciplined, there be an oath of admission that includes a dedication to the democracy, to rule of law, and the independence of our judiciary, respect for our judiciary.
And we’re recommending that state level bar associations, state supreme courts, regulators take a hard look at whether existing professional responsibility rules have any gaps in them that could be filled to more forcefully bolster our democracy and the rule of law.
