A left-wing "dark money" group known as the 65 Project has launched an aggressive campaign aimed at disbarring lawyers who represent former President Donald Trump in his various legal battles, particularly those related to his efforts to challenge the results of the 2020 election. The group, which has Democratic Party ties, has made it clear that any lawyer working for Trump’s legal defense may face severe consequences, including potential disbarment, in what many critics see as an attempt to intimidate attorneys and prevent them from representing the former president.
The 65 Project, which was formed in 2022, has reportedly focused on disbarring over 100 lawyers across multiple states who worked on Trump’s post-election lawsuits. Lawyers such as Sidney Powell, Jenna Ellis, and John Eastman are among the notable figures targeted by the group. Powell, for example, pleaded guilty to charges stemming from her involvement in challenging the 2020 election and faces ongoing disbarment efforts.
Senator Mark Kelly on Elon Musk speaking at Trump’s rally in Butler, PA: “Dark money” bad when it supports Republicans, but “dark money” good when it supports progressive Democrats.
The Democrats truly believe most Americans are stupid because their Marxist union-controlled… pic.twitter.com/r5ukBYcBw5
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The group's campaign has sparked outrage from Republicans, who argue that the effort represents a dangerous politicization of the legal system. Rep. Lance Gooden (R-TX) has been particularly vocal, calling for disciplinary action against the 65 Project. Gooden sent a letter to the American Bar Association (ABA) urging it to disregard the group’s attempts to disbar lawyers, arguing that legal professionals should not be punished for representing politically unpopular causes. He also stressed that lawyers must be free to provide good faith representation without fear of retribution based on political affiliations.
Critics of the 65 Project also accuse it of being highly partisan, despite the group’s claims of being bipartisan. Republicans point out that the group has focused exclusively on attorneys associated with Trump and has not targeted Democratic lawyers who have pursued election challenges, including notable figures like Marc Elias, who sought to overturn a congressional race in Iowa in 2020. This perceived double standard has further fueled accusations of bias.
As it sought a massive, corrupt bailout in Ohio, FirstEnergy also spent lavishly on Trump-aligned dark money groups and at Trump hotels and golf courses, a new report said this week. And Trump attempted to give them a federal bailout.
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The legal ethics of targeting attorneys based on the cases they choose to take on is a point of contention. While some argue that lawyers who promote baseless legal claims should be held accountable, others insist that every defendant is entitled to representation and that targeting lawyers threatens the foundation of the legal system. The 65 Project contends that their actions are necessary to protect the integrity of U.S. elections by holding accountable those who, in their view, seek to undermine democracy. The group cites instances like Arizona lawyer Alexander Kolodin’s discipline as a victory, claiming it serves as a warning to others.
However, the potential for this campaign to have a chilling effect on the legal profession is undeniable. Legal experts warn that such efforts could discourage lawyers from taking on controversial or high-profile cases for fear of being targeted by politically motivated groups. This could, in turn, weaken the defense available to Trump and others in similar situations, undermining the right to a fair legal process.
Despite the growing pressure, many of Trump’s lawyers have continued to fight back against the group’s disbarment efforts. Legal experts remain divided on whether the disbarment campaigns will succeed, but as the 2024 election approaches, the stakes are higher than ever for both Trump’s legal team and those seeking to hold them accountable for their actions.
The outcome of these disbarment efforts could have far-reaching consequences for the legal profession, especially in politically charged cases. With mounting legal challenges against Trump, the battle over the role of lawyers in election disputes will likely continue to intensify in the coming months.
