A left-wing organization called Project 65, known for targeting lawyers who have represented former President Donald Trump, is once again making waves by warning attorneys about the potential professional consequences of working for Trump. The group has recently launched an ad campaign aimed at deterring lawyers from representing Trump, suggesting that doing so could jeopardize their legal careers.
The ad, posted on Instagram, appears to specifically target potential Trump attorneys, cautioning them against joining the former president’s legal team. The message reads: “Don’t let partisan politics endanger your standing with the bar. The Porter Wright Partners face ethics complaints over Trump campaign post-election work. Don’t risk your law license by joining an effort to subvert democracy. We – and the public – are watching.”
Project 65 first gained attention after the 2020 presidential election, when it launched efforts to bring ethics complaints against lawyers who represented Trump in his post-election legal challenges. The group, which is funded by undisclosed donors and has ties to prominent Democratic figures like David Brock, has positioned itself as a watchdog for legal ethics, particularly focused on lawyers working in election cases. However, its methods have drawn sharp criticism from Republicans and legal experts who accuse the group of using scare tactics to undermine Trump’s ability to mount an effective legal defense.
The most notable example highlighted in the ad is the case of Porter Wright Morris & Arthur LLP, a firm that briefly represented Trump in Pennsylvania after the 2020 election. The firm faced immense pressure after taking on Trump’s case, and its lawyers, Ronald Hicks and Carolyn McGee, eventually withdrew from representing him just days after the November election. Project 65 later filed ethics complaints against the two attorneys in 2022, but so far, the Pennsylvania Office of Disciplinary Counsel has not taken any public action against them.
Despite the lack of formal disciplinary action, Project 65’s warning signals the group’s intent to continue its aggressive campaign to discourage attorneys from representing Trump. The ad’s warning suggests that simply defending Trump could put a lawyer’s career at risk, as it implies such actions might violate professional ethical standards.
The warnings by Project 65 hinge on allegations that Trump’s lawyers used legal procedures to undermine democracy. The organization has accused attorneys who represented Trump in the 2020 election of subverting legitimate democratic processes by challenging the results. While the group points to rules like the American Bar Association’s Model Rules of Professional Conduct, which state that lawyers should not use legal processes to harass or intimidate, it faces significant pushback from legal experts and Trump’s supporters.
Critics argue that Project 65’s efforts undermine the basic legal principle that all defendants—regardless of the charges against them—are entitled to legal representation. The Sixth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution guarantees the right to “Assistance of Counsel” in criminal proceedings, and Trump is currently facing multiple legal battles where that constitutional right applies. Many believe Project 65’s strategy of targeting lawyers risks chilling free legal representation for Trump and others who might face politically charged cases in the future.
Legal scholars also raise concerns about the broader implications of the group’s efforts. If Project 65 is successful in its campaign to intimidate attorneys from representing high-profile or controversial clients like Trump, it could create a dangerous precedent that would make it difficult for any political figure or public figure to receive adequate legal counsel if their case falls out of favor with powerful political interests.
As Trump continues to face various legal challenges ahead of the 2024 election, including criminal charges, the role of his legal team is crucial. Project 65’s aggressive stance could leave Trump struggling to find lawyers willing to take on his defense, particularly in politically sensitive cases that require skilled legal representation.
Breitbart News reported last year that Project 65’s efforts to prosecute and disbar Trump’s election lawyers could have a severe impact on the Republican Party’s ability to fight election-related legal battles. With reports that over 100 attorneys have been targeted by the group, the pool of experienced Republican legal talent could shrink significantly as attorneys weigh the risk of facing disbarment or ethics complaints for taking on Trump as a client.
Project 65’s latest warning seems aimed at potential lawyers considering working with Trump as he gears up for another run for the presidency. The ad implies that any legal assistance provided to Trump in his upcoming battles, particularly those related to the 2020 election, could result in professional repercussions, including the loss of a law license.
The actions of Project 65 raise questions about fairness in the legal system and whether political pressure should play a role in dissuading attorneys from taking on controversial clients. While Project 65 argues that it is simply holding lawyers accountable for ethical violations, critics view the group’s tactics as an attempt to weaponize the legal profession against Trump and his allies.
David Brock, the Democratic operative behind Project 65, has long been known for his involvement in creating media organizations and political groups like Media Matters, which often take strong stances against conservative figures. His involvement with Project 65 adds a layer of partisanship to the group’s efforts, further fueling the debate over whether this is a legitimate push for accountability or a politically motivated campaign to harm Trump’s legal defense.
With the 2024 election looming, it remains to be seen how Project 65’s warnings will affect Trump’s ability to build a robust legal team. However, one thing is clear: the group’s influence in the legal battles surrounding Trump shows no signs of fading.
