Defending Jan. 6 Rioters, Investigating Democrats: How Ed Martin Is Weaponizing the DOJ for Trump

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The decision by President Donald Trump to appoint Ed Martin, a Missouri lawyer and political operative, as the top U.S. attorney for Washington, D.C., was surprising to current and former federal prosecutors and outside legal experts due to Martin’s lack of prosecutorial experience. He was more known as a conservative activist, the former associate of influential anti-feminist figure Phyllis Schlafly, and a devoted Trump supporter.

Since assuming his position in January, Martin has sparked controversy by launching contentious investigations, supporting Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency, and pledging to reform how his office handles crime prosecutions in the District of Columbia. These actions have faced strong opposition from Democratic lawmakers, watchdog organizations, and legal experts, resulting in several disciplinary complaints filed against Martin with the D.C. and Missouri bars. Some complaints have been dismissed, while others are pending, with Martin yet to publicly address them despite repeated requests for comment.

Martin’s decisions have included dismissing cases related to the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol riots, leading to conflicts of interest accusations and disciplinary complaints. He also fired federal prosecutors involved in these cases, demoted senior lawyers, and initiated investigations into alleged leaks and past charging decisions. Additionally, Martin engaged in public exchanges with Elon Musk, vowing legal action to support Musk’s work and defending law enforcement against movements like “Defund the Police.”

However, Martin’s actions have stirred discontent among current and former federal prosecutors, who believe his reforms could hinder their work. His efforts to restructure the office’s policies, including the Lewis list used in prosecuting cases, have drawn criticism for potentially jeopardizing convictions and prosecutors’ legal standing.

Furthermore, Martin has launched inquiries into critics and opponents of Trump, such as Rep. Eugene Vindman and members of Biden’s family. His scrutiny extended to medical journals, where he sent probing questions to editors, raising concerns about freedom of speech and government interference in scientific publications.