Samson and Deny-eth — Unjust Exile From the New Hampshire Bar
By Joan Quinn Eastman
NASHUA, NH — Samson Racioppi, a decorated Army veteran and outspoken conservative activist, finds himself at the center of a contentious debate over free speech, professional ethics, and alleged political discrimination. Despite passing the Massachusetts bar exam (the New Hampshire Bar uses the same standardized test) in the summer of 2022, Samson has been denied admission to the New Hampshire Bar by its Committee on Character and Fitness, preventing him from practicing law. The Supreme Court’s Clerk of the Court, Tim Gudas, and the State Attorney General, John A. Formella, are among the nine members of the committee that made the decision. Additional member details are listed below.
Supporters of Samson argue that this decision stems from prejudice within the Bar association rather than any substantive evidence of misconduct that would prevent him from practicing law. But why?
So certain that he has been unjustly targeted, fellow conservative activist Sue Ianni testified on his behalf at the hearing in Concord, New Hampshire last October.
“Samson Racioppi was denied his New Hampshire law license after a brutal committee hearing,” says Ianni, a close colleague and friend of Samson for six years. “It was completely unfair. The committee was so aggressive that I broke down in tears, because I saw how determined they were to punish him.”
Critics point to his controversial activism as justification, illuminating a broader divide over the intersection of personal beliefs and professional licensure and its relevance.
Samson’s journey to this point is marked by resilience and service. He earned his GED before obtaining a Bachelor of Science degree in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics from Suffolk University. His military career spanned from 2005 to 2008, during which time he served as a Cavalry Scout in the U.S. Army, deploying to the Horn of Africa in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. During his time of service he received multiple commendations.
Promoted to sergeant after just two years, Racioppi trained soldiers for deployment and left the service with a service-connected disability that enabled him to attend New England Law | Boston through a vocational rehabilitation program.
Now an integral part of the team at Boston law firm Gens & Stanton PC, he is heartily endorsed for helping secure numerous legal victories.”
“For the past three years, Samson has assisted in cases on all levels of the State and Federal systems,” says Senior Partner William Gens. “This includes the New Hampshire Supreme Court where we prevailed in a notable free speech ruling. Sampson has dealt with hundreds of clients, consistently demonstrating diligence, courtesy, and professionalism, totally unlike the manner in which he has been portrayed by the media and this committee.”
the New Hampshire Bar.
“This chain of events brings to mind the Committee for Public Safety of the French Revolution. The NH Board of Bar Admissions bears a stark resemblance to that institution which devoted itself to ideological purity and suppressing political dissent. That was until its leader, Maximilien Robespierre, was beheaded in 1794 and France began its journey back to normalcy,” reflected Attorney William Gens. “With any luck, our country is once more headed back to normalcy as well. Samson’s case will now rest with a NH Supreme Court Judge, whose decision we hope will reflect fundamental American values.”
Samson’s activism, however, has drawn both praise and ire. His advocacy began notably with the 2017 Free Speech Rally on Boston Common, followed by numerous freedom related events including January 6th, 2021. In 2019, he helped organize the Straight Pride Parade in Boston. The event, presented by Super Happy Fun America (SHFA), sparked national attention and significant counter-protests.
Samson Racioppi with Hal Shurtleff at Boston City Hall for Hal’s Christian Flag Raising Ceremony on August 3, 2022 to celebrate his US Supreme Court victory ordering the City of Boston to grant him permission to fly the Christian flag.
Over the years, the two Patriots have participated together in numerous events aimed at preserving fundamental rights.
Hal Shurtleff was the first to testify at Racioppi’s hearing. “When asked how we knew each other, I explained that Samson reached out in support of our win to fly the Christian flag at Boston City Hall. As a result we have collaborated on many gatherings,” says the director of Camp Constitution. “One of the Bar members then asked me about SHFA being anti-LGBTQ. My response pointed out that the grand marshal of the Straight Pride Parade was a homosexual and that there were gays and a transgender who participated in the parade as well.”
(Courtesy photo SHFA)
“SHFA was created at a time when America was becoming very polarized,” explains Mark Sahady, one of co-founders of the controversial group. “Pride in alternative lifestyles began dominating the mainstream media, despite the fact that it represents such a small percentage of the population. The goal of the SHFA event(s) was to push back on identity politics.”
Mark Sahady, who along with Sue Ianni, were with Sampson in DC on January 6th. Unlike Racioppi, the two were charged. Both were recently pardoned for January 6th, and all Sahady’s charges were appealed and the DOJ and the US Prosecutor have indicated that they are not opposed to all of the charges being vacated.
Sahady was also questioned at the hearing.
“The board seemed mostly concerned with the groups we were part of together that primarily focused on free speech issues,” said the fellow US Army Combat Veteran Sahady. “They brought up multiple times that people were offended by our message. This makes me ask, how does being offended have anything to do with whether or not an individual is granted a law license?”
Photo courtesy of Sue Ianni.
“The fake news media outlets have branded all of us as ‘right-wing agitators’ and other things I won’t repeat,” says Sahady. “What is it with bald men? Do people automatically discriminate and associate us with skinheads? During Sampson’s law school tenure there were complaints that accused him of promoting white supremacist ideals, and yet no one has provided any evidence to support such claims. Sampson, Sue and I vehemently deny such allegations.”
Ianni, who has been similarly smeared for her activism, went on to say: “I do not believe there is such a thing as a white supremacist who doesn’t try to talk everyone else into becoming one! We have consistently and fervently denounced it. During my witness testimony they kept asking about Sam’s right-wing activism, hinting that he is a violent person, but he isn’t and has never been like that.
“Even with vicious Antifa cursing and screaming at us, Samson was always the voice of calm. He promoted 1A and 2A rights, and his hard work helped the MA State Troopers win a legal case for unlawful termination for refusing the Covid shot. His work further extended to the NH9, helping to get their charges dropped. His activism with Resist Marxism focused on free speech rights for all, as our framers envisioned and codified.”
Racioppi’s “calm during chaos” has been witnessed firsthand by this writer at many protests such as this one on Boston Common, November 2021 where he was interviewed by CBS 4 Boston’s Paul Burton.
“Super Happy Fun America, a center-right organization, rallied with Racioppi to support free speech, parental rights, with a focus on protecting children from far-left indoctrination, and exposure to sexual content only suitable for adults,” Ianni continued. “Personally, he has also contributed his skills to Back the Blue, Reopen MA and several health freedom causes, all while pursuing his law degree and working with Gens & Stanton, P.C. These are not the characteristics and accomplishments of the person that they have wrongly judged him to be.”
Sue and others contend that the Bar’s focus on Samson’s presence at Trump’s “Save America” rally, and his conservative views, reflects a bias against those who challenge the political mainstream. “Posts on X and Facebook echo this sentiment,” emphasizes Ianni. “Users claim that state Bar examiners, like their activist counterparts in black robes, have become ‘Left-Wing tyrants’ who discriminate against conservatives, and in this case deny a person their livelihood without proof of ethical lapses.”
In response to Racioppi’s plight, comments can be seen here on Sue Ianni’s X post validating a far different demeanor from how he is being characterized.
These activities have been points of contention, alongside a 2014 misdemeanor charge that is 11-year-old news, or as Attorney Gens has been quoted as saying, “Ancient.” Racioppi was charged for unlawful carrying of a firearm—after the matter was resolved, he was granted full rights for a license to carry in the state of Massachusetts.
“After what I witnessed in Samson’s appeal with the committee, I have no doubt that these details underpinned their decision to deny him his law license,” emphasized Ianni. “So, basically what they are saying is that a decorated Army Veteran is safe enough to have a gun license in a blue state, but not a license to practice law in New Hampshire? It appears that Samson is being discriminated against for simply exercising his first and second amendment rights and honoring his oath to uphold the Constitution.”
Supporters argue this portrayal lacks evidence of wrongdoing and is based on hearsay and a false narrative concocted by “the opposition.”
Even the FBI in Boston declined to pursue an investigation into Samson’s January 6 involvement, despite pressure from Washington, D.C. counterparts. He was purportedly seen tending those who were injured rather than inciting violence as has been suggested.
“The Bar’s rationale apparently also hinges on the alleged ‘thought crime’ of believing that the 2020 election was stolen. The committee relentlessly grilled Samson about the election in particular,” according to Ianni. “The denial is clearly a travesty of justice. Samson is a patriotic American who has served his country both in uniform and through his advocacy for free speech and other constitutionally protected rights.”
Critics, conversely, highlight Samson’s ties to groups like Resist Marxism and SHFA, insisting on continuing to misrepresent them as extremist and hate-driven. These differing perspectives underscore a polarized debate: Is Samson’s exclusion a defense of professional standards, or an infringement on his rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness
The controversy unfolds against a broader backdrop of tension over the American Bar Association’s role in this rejection. Admission to the private association is considered to be a “privilege,” rather than a right, for one who has passed the Bar exam. On March 8, 2025, Republican senators urged President Donald Trump to address what they called a “biased and ideologically captured” ABA, amplifying claims of political gatekeeping in legal professions. Samson’s case, as of now, thus serves as a flashpoint in this ongoing challenge, raising questions about whether bar associations can fairly assess character without letting political prejudice dictate who gets to practice law.
For Samson, the denial threatens a career built on years of service and education, leaving him unable to pursue the livelihood of his choice despite meeting the academic and legal qualifications. As the debate continues, his story highlights the delicate balance between free expression and professional accountability, and whether that balance has been tipped by bias rather than evidence. To many, the bar denial stands as a perceived injustice —a veteran’s un-just “reward” for defending the Constitution— a particularly harsh decision for a soldier who has served his country and aspires to commit his life’s work to serve justice.
Other members of the New Hampshire Bar’s Committee on Character and Fitness who took part in the decision include New Hampshire Circuit Court Judge Ryan Guptill, who chairs the committee; James McKim, Managing Partner for Organizational Ignition; Attorney Eric Wilson, practicing in Nashua, New Hampshire; Circuit Court Judge Benjamin LeDuc; Tom Blonski, President & CEO of Catholic Charities; Manchester Attorney Mary Tenn; and Sherry Hieber, General Counsel for the Office of Bar Admissions.
