Tyler Reporter

Congressman Lance Gooden of Texas has issued a strong statement condemning the 65 Project, a far-left activist group of lawyers, for engaging in partisan tactics aimed at targeting and discrediting legal professionals associated with President Trump and other Republicans. In a letter addressed to the American Bar Association, State Bar Disciplinary Committees, and the Republican Attorneys General Association, Congressman Gooden expressed his deep concerns over the 65 Project's efforts to politicize the legal profession and undermine the principles of free speech and fair representation.

"The 65 Project, under the guise of bipartisanship, has initiated a dangerous precedent of targeting lawyers based on their client's political affiliations," stated Congressman Gooden. "This is a direct threat to the diversity of legal representation and the fundamental tenets of our justice system."

One of the main issues raised by Congressman Gooden is the group's attempts to disbar and discredit hundreds of attorneys solely because they chose to represent President Trump in legal cases. He emphasized that this is not about upholding election integrity, as the 65 Project claims, but about silencing and punishing legal professionals for their associations. According to Gooden, such actions are contrary to the American ideal of fair representation, a principle that has been upheld since the time of John Adams and the Boston Massacre.

In his letter, Congressman Gooden demands several actions from the American Bar Association and state bar associations. Firstly, he calls for a strong denunciation of the 65 Project for its role as a partisan entity that undermines the integrity and impartiality of the legal profession. Secondly, he urges the implementation of stringent disciplinary measures against any bar members or legal professionals who engage in or support unwarranted political targeting of their peers within the bar. Furthermore, Congressman Gooden calls for the requirement of full transparency in bar complaints, necessitating individuals to disclose their identities when submitting such complaints. Lastly, he seeks a clear standard clarifying that the bar does not entertain complaints from third-party political organizations or activists that seek to advance their agendas under the guise of legal processes.

This issue raised by Congressman Gooden is of significant concern as it strikes at the core of the legal profession's principles of fairness and non-partisanship. It is crucial for the American Bar Association and state bar associations to address these concerns and take appropriate actions to ensure the integrity and impartiality of the legal profession are maintained.

The full letter from Congressman Gooden can be read [here](https://gooden.house.gov/2024/1/release-congressman-lance-gooden-calls-for-immediate-action-against-the-partisan-legal-tactics-of-the-65-project).