WASHINGTON — Ed Martin, a conservative activist who has echoed claims surrounding the 2020 election and supported those involved in the January 6 Capitol riot, has received a nomination from the President to take on the role of permanent U.S. attorney for the District of Columbia. This nomination was made on Monday and now awaits confirmation from the U.S. Senate.
Martin stepped into the role of interim U.S. attorney for Washington shortly after the commencement of Trump’s second term on January 20. The President expressed his support for Martin through a post on Truth Social, praising his efforts as interim U.S. attorney to restore law and order and improve safety in the nation’s capital.
Hailing from New Jersey, Martin holds an English degree from the College of the Holy Cross. He also spent two years studying in Rome at the Gregorian Pontifical University, a Rotary Scholarship endeavor. His legal education was completed at St. Louis University.
Before his appointment, Martin managed legal clinics that catered to low-income families as the head of the human rights office for the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of St. Louis. For about twenty years, he operated his own law practice and participated actively in Republican affairs, eventually leading the Missouri Republican Party.
As interim U.S. attorney, Martin oversaw a significant number of case dismissals linked to the January 6 events, a move that came after Trump issued pardons or promised to negate certain charges. He also initiated an internal evaluation concerning prosecutors’ application of felony charges against many involved in the Capitol riot, instructing staff to provide relevant files and documents for review.
In his capacity as U.S. attorney, Martin showed support for a government initiative led by Elon Musk called the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). He indicated that legal actions would be taken against anyone hindering their operations, which include oversight of government computer systems and management of expenditure.
Mike Davis, an attorney with connections to Trump, lauded Martin as the ideal candidate for the U.S. attorney position in Washington. He expressed confidence that Martin would implement accountability measures, aiming to combat violent crime in the area and enhance safety for all citizens.
However, concerns about Martin’s priorities surfaced from Alexis Loeb, a former deputy chief involved in prosecuting January 6 cases. She remarked that Martin appeared to be in the position mainly to further the political agenda set by the President rather than focusing on public safety in Washington.
In previous comments, Martin depicted federal prosecutors as essentially “the President’s lawyers.” Notably, he was present at a “Stop the Steal” rally on January 5, 2021, where he incited attendees by stating, “What they’re stealing is not just an election. It’s our future, and it’s our republic.” The following day, he joined Trump’s rally near the White House, later downplaying the subsequent unrest.
The Capitol assault, carried out by a mob loyal to Trump, led to significant chaos, forcing lawmakers to seek safety. Tragically, a woman lost her life as a result of the violence, prompting the city’s mayor to impose a curfew to mitigate the situation.
In addition to his prior roles, Martin was associated with the Patriot Freedom Project, an initiative aimed at raising funds to assist January 6 defendants and their families. Court records identify him as legal counsel for at least three defendants connected to Capitol riot events, including one individual from the Proud Boys who ultimately pled guilty to felony charges.
