Former federal prosecutors and various organizations have raised concerns about the nomination of Ed Martin as the permanent U.S. attorney for the District of Columbia. Martin, who has been serving as the interim U.S. attorney since January 2021, is a strong supporter of Donald Trump’s false claims regarding the 2020 election and has defended individuals involved in the January 6 Capitol riot. He had no prior prosecutorial experience before being appointed as interim U.S. attorney, and since then, he has taken several controversial actions.
On Wednesday, Democrats on the Senate Judiciary Committee called for a hearing to review Martin’s nomination. This request is unusual for U.S. attorney nominees, as they typically do not face such public scrutiny. Senator Adam Schiff, D-Calif., announced that he would block Martin’s nomination, which could delay a vote on his confirmation.
NBC News obtained a letter addressed to the Senate Judiciary Committee this week that reveals that more than 100 former assistant U.S. attorneys have signed a “Statement of Conscience and Principle” in opposition to Martin.
These former prosecutors, who previously worked in the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia, argue that Martin is unfit for the position. They stress the importance of upholding the rule of law and fairness, criticizing Martin for actions they believe undermine these principles.
Daniel Toomey, a former federal prosecutor who worked in the office from 1968 to 1971, shared that the letter grew out of a regular Zoom call among Washington federal prosecutors’ office alumni.
Toomey explained that the group was “appalled” by what they learned about Martin’s actions. He added that many signers, despite their political views, found his conduct disturbing. He further stated that they believed the list of signers could be much larger if not for concerns of retaliation from the Trump administration.
The letter lists several of Martin’s actions that the former prosecutors consider troubling, including the dismissal of federal prosecutors handling January 6 cases, inappropriate social media posts about ongoing investigations, and sending letters to Democratic lawmakers suggesting that their speeches were under investigation. The letter criticizes Martin for politicizing the U.S. attorney’s office, transforming it from a neutral body into a tool of political influence.
Rep. Jamie Raskin, D-Md., the ranking member of the Judiciary Committee, voiced concerns that Trump had nominated Martin because of his loyalty to the former president, and that this loyalty could override his duty to enforce the law impartially. Martin has not responded to requests for comment regarding the opposition to his nomination.
Documents Martin recently submitted to the Senate Judiciary Committee show that he lacks significant trial experience. His most notable legal work seems to be connected to cases related to the January 6 events, including representing several defendants involved in the Capitol riot. Among the key legal matters he lists in his Senate submission are cases influenced by Trump’s pardons, particularly those concerning January 6 rioters and anti-abortion activists.
Additionally, Martin’s public profile raises further questions about his qualifications. A speech he delivered at the U.S. Capitol on January 5, 2021, where he urged supporters to “stop the steal,” is not mentioned in the documents he submitted to the Senate.
Furthermore, his previously available podcasts and a book he published, “Can’t Trump this COVFEFE: Top Trump Tweets,” are notably absent from his list of professional works. Some of these podcast episodes now appear to be unavailable.
The controversy surrounding Martin’s nomination highlights growing concerns about his suitability for the position of U.S. attorney, a critical role in ensuring impartial justice. As more details about his past actions come to light, many continue to question whether Martin’s leadership would be in line with the fundamental principles of fairness, independence, and justice that the U.S. Attorney’s Office is meant to uphold.
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