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When President Donald Trump appointed Ed Martin, a Missouri lawyer and political operative, as the top U.S. attorney for Washington, D.C., it surprised many current and former federal prosecutors and legal experts. Martin, lacking prosecutorial experience, was widely recognized as a conservative activist and a loyal Trump supporter.
Since assuming office in January, Martin has initiated controversial investigations, defended the Department of Government Efficiency, and pledged to alter crime prosecution methods in Washington, D.C. His actions have faced significant opposition from Democratic lawmakers, watchdog groups, and legal experts. Four disciplinary complaints have been filed against him in the D.C. and Missouri bars, with one being dismissed and the others pending. Martin has not publicly addressed the complaints.
Martin did not respond to requests for comment regarding these issues.
One of his notable actions includes dismissing cases related to the Jan. 6 Capitol riots, following Trump’s direction. This decision led to further complaints due to a potential conflict of interest in one case. Martin also demoted multiple federal prosecutors involved in Jan. 6 cases. Investigations have been launched under his direction concerning media leaks and charging decisions related to these cases. The Supreme Court had overturned the DOJ’s use of an obstruction statute in these prosecutions.
He has also communicated directly with Elon Musk, offering his support for the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) and promising legal action against any hindrances to its work. Martin’s endorsement of DOGE’s initiatives extends to assisting with taking over the U.S. Institute of Peace, a nonprofit receiving government funding.
Martin has promised to improve public safety in D.C., despite a decline in violent crime. He has pledged strong support for the D.C. police, countering movements like “Defund the Police.” However, his actions have reportedly affected office morale, and some believe his reforms might hinder prosecutors’ ability to perform effectively.
In February, he demoted two long-serving Federal Major Crimes section leaders, an action met with criticism and a subsequent resignation. He announced plans to revise the Lewis list policy, which tracks police disciplinary records, framing this as a pro-police initiative.
Former prosecutor Michael Romano asserted that changes to the Lewis list could impair prosecutors’ effectiveness and jeopardize legal proceedings.
Martin has also initiated investigations into political opponents of Trump, such as Rep. Eugene Vindman, accusing them of misconduct. He sent letters to family and former officials of President Biden regarding pardons, alleging incompetence without evidence. Inquiries directed at high-profile Democrats about their public comments did not result in any charges.
Lastly, Martin sent letters to several medical journals, questioning their scientific objectivity and raising concerns about government interference with scientific discourse. This move has been criticized for potentially threatening free speech in the scientific community.
