🧵🧵The 65 Project is a polarizing force in American politics, targeting conservative lawyers with ethics complaints and public shaming to deter representation of Trump and similar causes.
They operate just like the rest of the NGO mafia, they attack their opponents and try to debank, deplatform, disbar and destroy anyone who stands in their way.
Now that President Trump is in office, The 65 Project needs to be the subject of a DOJ investigation.
They operate just like the rest of the NGO mafia, they attack their opponents and try to debank, deplatform, disbar and destroy anyone who stands in their way.
Now that President Trump is in office, The 65 Project needs to be the subject of a DOJ investigation.
1/ What is the 65 Project?
The 65 Project is a campaign launched in 2022 under the umbrella of Law Works, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit focused on promoting the rule of law. Its stated mission is to hold accountable lawyers who "undermine democracy" by filing frivolous lawsuits or engaging in efforts to challenge election results, particularly those tied to Trump’s 2020 election challenges.
The group is named after the 65 lawsuits filed by Trump’s legal team post-2020 election, most of which were dismissed.
Key Goal: The 65 Project seeks to file ethics complaints against attorneys, pursue their disbarment, and publicly shame them to deter future legal representation of similar causes.
Leadership: Michael Teter, an Utah-based attorney, serves as the director and has personally signed nearly 100 ethics complaints against Trump-aligned lawyers. He is also a well connected Democrat.
The project operates as a fiscally sponsored initiative of Law Works, meaning it doesn’t have independent nonprofit status but relies on Law Works for tax-exempt fundraising.
While the group claims to protect democracy, what they actually do is engage in "lawfare" to intimidate conservative lawyers, potentially chilling free speech and the right to legal representation.
The 65 Project is a campaign launched in 2022 under the umbrella of Law Works, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit focused on promoting the rule of law. Its stated mission is to hold accountable lawyers who "undermine democracy" by filing frivolous lawsuits or engaging in efforts to challenge election results, particularly those tied to Trump’s 2020 election challenges.
The group is named after the 65 lawsuits filed by Trump’s legal team post-2020 election, most of which were dismissed.
Key Goal: The 65 Project seeks to file ethics complaints against attorneys, pursue their disbarment, and publicly shame them to deter future legal representation of similar causes.
Leadership: Michael Teter, an Utah-based attorney, serves as the director and has personally signed nearly 100 ethics complaints against Trump-aligned lawyers. He is also a well connected Democrat.
The project operates as a fiscally sponsored initiative of Law Works, meaning it doesn’t have independent nonprofit status but relies on Law Works for tax-exempt fundraising.
While the group claims to protect democracy, what they actually do is engage in "lawfare" to intimidate conservative lawyers, potentially chilling free speech and the right to legal representation.
2/ Who Are the Organizers Behind the 65 Project?
The 65 Project has ties to prominent Democratic operatives, with one key figure standing out:
- David Brock: A well-known Democratic strategist and founder of Media Matters for America, Brock is reported to have helped launch the 65 Project. His involvement links the group to a broader network of left-wing advocacy organizations. Brock has a history of creating "dark money" groups to influence political outcomes, raising questions about the 65 Project’s impartiality.
- Michael Teter: As director, Teter is the public face of the 65 Project. He has been accused of unprofessional conduct in filing boilerplate ethics complaints, though no disciplinary actions against him have been confirmed.
- Law Works: The parent organization provides legal and financial infrastructure. Its broader mission is less controversial, but its sponsorship of the 65 Project has drawn scrutiny for enabling partisan activities under a nonprofit guise.
The involvement of Brock, one of the most polarizing figures in politics, suggests the 65 Project aligns with Democratic Party, and its nonpartisan framing is gascon gaslighting. The lack of transparency about other organizers limits a full picture.
The 65 Project has ties to prominent Democratic operatives, with one key figure standing out:
- David Brock: A well-known Democratic strategist and founder of Media Matters for America, Brock is reported to have helped launch the 65 Project. His involvement links the group to a broader network of left-wing advocacy organizations. Brock has a history of creating "dark money" groups to influence political outcomes, raising questions about the 65 Project’s impartiality.
- Michael Teter: As director, Teter is the public face of the 65 Project. He has been accused of unprofessional conduct in filing boilerplate ethics complaints, though no disciplinary actions against him have been confirmed.
- Law Works: The parent organization provides legal and financial infrastructure. Its broader mission is less controversial, but its sponsorship of the 65 Project has drawn scrutiny for enabling partisan activities under a nonprofit guise.
The involvement of Brock, one of the most polarizing figures in politics, suggests the 65 Project aligns with Democratic Party, and its nonpartisan framing is gascon gaslighting. The lack of transparency about other organizers limits a full picture.
3/ Who Funds the 65 Project?
The 65 Project’s funding is opaque, as it does not publicly disclose its donors, a common trait of "dark money" groups. However, some insights have emerged:
- Reported Donors: Michael Teter has stated that funding comes from "individuals and organizations interested in ensuring the legal system is not used to subvert democracy." No specific names are confirmed, but Axios reported the group has “ties to Democratic Party heavyweights,” implying high-level Democratic donors.
- Speculated Ties to George Soros. He had funded all other David Brock initiatives.
- Fundraising Structure: As a fiscally sponsored project of Law Works, donations to the 65 Project are tax-deductible and funneled through Law Works’ 501(c)(3) status. This setup obscures donor identities and shields the group from filing independent financial disclosures with the IRS. The set-up is just like the set-up for Arabella Advisors.
The lack of donor transparency raises legitimate concerns about accountability.
The 65 Project’s funding is opaque, as it does not publicly disclose its donors, a common trait of "dark money" groups. However, some insights have emerged:
- Reported Donors: Michael Teter has stated that funding comes from "individuals and organizations interested in ensuring the legal system is not used to subvert democracy." No specific names are confirmed, but Axios reported the group has “ties to Democratic Party heavyweights,” implying high-level Democratic donors.
- Speculated Ties to George Soros. He had funded all other David Brock initiatives.
- Fundraising Structure: As a fiscally sponsored project of Law Works, donations to the 65 Project are tax-deductible and funneled through Law Works’ 501(c)(3) status. This setup obscures donor identities and shields the group from filing independent financial disclosures with the IRS. The set-up is just like the set-up for Arabella Advisors.
The lack of donor transparency raises legitimate concerns about accountability.
4/ How Does the 65 Project Target Conservative Lawyers?
The 65 Project’s primary tactic is filing ethics complaints with state bar associations against lawyers who represented Trump or filed 2020 election-related lawsuits. Its actions include:
- Ethics Complaints: The group has targeted over 100 attorneys, filing complaints alleging professional misconduct for pursuing baseless election challenges. Examples include complaints against Ronald Hicks and Carolyn McGee (formerly of Porter Wright) and Stefan Passantino, who represented Cassidy Hutchinson.
- Public Shaming: The 65 Project runs ads in legal journals and online platforms, particularly in swing states, warning lawyers against working for Trump. A 2024 ad stated, “Don’t lose your law license because of Trump,” citing ethics risks. Critics call this intimidation to deter legal representation.
- Disbarment Threats: The group explicitly aims to disbar Trump-aligned lawyers, though Reuters reported that at least 12 targeted lawyers faced no discipline and continued election-related work.
- High-Profile Cases:
- Stefan Passantino: The 65 Project filed a complaint against Passantino in 2023, alleging he pressured Hutchinson to mislead the January 6 Committee. This led to a counter-complaint by America First Legal against the 65 Project for unethical conduct.
- Liz Cheney Connection: A House report suggested Cheney’s interactions with Hutchinson, alongside the 65 Project’s complaint against Passantino, could constitute witness tampering, prompting a bar complaint against Cheney.
The 65 Project’s tactics raise ethical questions. Targeting attorneys for their clients’ political views undermines the right to counsel, a cornerstone of the legal system. The group’s selective focus on conservative lawyers, with no equivalent scrutiny of left-leaning attorneys, fuels accusations of partisanship.
The 65 Project’s primary tactic is filing ethics complaints with state bar associations against lawyers who represented Trump or filed 2020 election-related lawsuits. Its actions include:
- Ethics Complaints: The group has targeted over 100 attorneys, filing complaints alleging professional misconduct for pursuing baseless election challenges. Examples include complaints against Ronald Hicks and Carolyn McGee (formerly of Porter Wright) and Stefan Passantino, who represented Cassidy Hutchinson.
- Public Shaming: The 65 Project runs ads in legal journals and online platforms, particularly in swing states, warning lawyers against working for Trump. A 2024 ad stated, “Don’t lose your law license because of Trump,” citing ethics risks. Critics call this intimidation to deter legal representation.
- Disbarment Threats: The group explicitly aims to disbar Trump-aligned lawyers, though Reuters reported that at least 12 targeted lawyers faced no discipline and continued election-related work.
- High-Profile Cases:
- Stefan Passantino: The 65 Project filed a complaint against Passantino in 2023, alleging he pressured Hutchinson to mislead the January 6 Committee. This led to a counter-complaint by America First Legal against the 65 Project for unethical conduct.
- Liz Cheney Connection: A House report suggested Cheney’s interactions with Hutchinson, alongside the 65 Project’s complaint against Passantino, could constitute witness tampering, prompting a bar complaint against Cheney.
The 65 Project’s tactics raise ethical questions. Targeting attorneys for their clients’ political views undermines the right to counsel, a cornerstone of the legal system. The group’s selective focus on conservative lawyers, with no equivalent scrutiny of left-leaning attorneys, fuels accusations of partisanship.
6/ Broader Context: Democratic Donors and Lawfare
The 65 Project fits into a larger pattern of Democratic-aligned groups using legal strategies to counter conservative political efforts:
- Fundraising Platforms: Democratic fundraising platforms like ActBlue, which raised over $1 billion for Kamala Harris in 2024, support a wide range of liberal causes, potentially including groups like the 65 Project.
- Other Donors: Democratic megadonors, such as those backing FF PAC (a pro-Harris super PAC that spent $371 million on ads), often fund legal advocacy groups.
- Tactical Overlap: The 65 Project’s strategy mirrors other Democratic efforts, like David Brock’s American Bridge 21st Century, which spent $50 million targeting Trump’s base in 2019. This suggests a coordinated approach to legal and political warfare.
The 65 Project’s funding and tactics align with broader Democratic strategies, but the lack of concrete donor data makes it hard to pin down specific financial ties.
The 65 Project fits into a larger pattern of Democratic-aligned groups using legal strategies to counter conservative political efforts:
- Fundraising Platforms: Democratic fundraising platforms like ActBlue, which raised over $1 billion for Kamala Harris in 2024, support a wide range of liberal causes, potentially including groups like the 65 Project.
- Other Donors: Democratic megadonors, such as those backing FF PAC (a pro-Harris super PAC that spent $371 million on ads), often fund legal advocacy groups.
- Tactical Overlap: The 65 Project’s strategy mirrors other Democratic efforts, like David Brock’s American Bridge 21st Century, which spent $50 million targeting Trump’s base in 2019. This suggests a coordinated approach to legal and political warfare.
The 65 Project’s funding and tactics align with broader Democratic strategies, but the lack of concrete donor data makes it hard to pin down specific financial ties.
7/ What’s the Bigger Picture?
The 65 Project exemplifies the growing use of lawfare in American politics, where legal tools are wielded to achieve political ends. Its actions raise critical questions:
- Right to Representation: By targeting Trump’s lawyers, the 65 Project infringes on the constitutional right to counsel. It creates a chilling effect, discouraging attorneys from representing controversial clients.
- Partisan Double Standards: Why does the 65 Project focus solely on conservative lawyers? The absence of similar scrutiny for liberal attorneys undermines its nonpartisan claims.
- Transparency: The group’s opaque funding and ties to Democratic operatives fuel distrust. Should “dark money” groups like this be required to disclose donors? Yes.
- Impact: While the 65 Project has not disbarred many attorneys, its public shaming and legal complaints impose financial and reputational costs, potentially reshaping the legal landscape for conservative causes.
The 65 Project exemplifies the growing use of lawfare in American politics, where legal tools are wielded to achieve political ends. Its actions raise critical questions:
- Right to Representation: By targeting Trump’s lawyers, the 65 Project infringes on the constitutional right to counsel. It creates a chilling effect, discouraging attorneys from representing controversial clients.
- Partisan Double Standards: Why does the 65 Project focus solely on conservative lawyers? The absence of similar scrutiny for liberal attorneys undermines its nonpartisan claims.
- Transparency: The group’s opaque funding and ties to Democratic operatives fuel distrust. Should “dark money” groups like this be required to disclose donors? Yes.
- Impact: While the 65 Project has not disbarred many attorneys, its public shaming and legal complaints impose financial and reputational costs, potentially reshaping the legal landscape for conservative causes.
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