In Washington, the top federal prosecutor for the District of Columbia, known for promoting former President Donald Trump’s unfounded claims of a rigged 2020 election, has formed a specialized team to investigate election-related crimes. According to an internal email sent to his office on Monday, interim District of Columbia U.S. Attorney Ed Martin announced the creation of a “Special Unit: Election Accountability,” which has already commenced at least one inquiry. He emphasized that the unit’s goal is to ensure adherence to the nation’s election laws.
Awaiting Senate confirmation for a permanent appointment, Martin played a role in the “Stop the Steal” movement, driven by unfounded allegations of electoral fraud following Trump’s defeat to Joe Biden. Martin also participated in a nonprofit organization that collected funds for defendants from the January 6 Capitol riot and legally represented some of them, including a member of the Proud Boys who later admitted to felony charges.
In the email announcing the new initiative, Martin recalled his past experiences with uncovering voter registration fraud during his tenure as chairman of the Board of Elections in St. Louis. This led to implementing new measures aimed at ensuring electronic voting machines produced a reliable paper trail. Martin expressed concerns about prevailing distrust in America’s electoral systems and suggested that maintaining accountability is crucial for restoring public confidence.
Details regarding the ongoing investigation by Martin’s office have not been disclosed, and responses from spokespersons were unavailable. The Justice Department also did not comment on Martin’s new initiative.
Democratic lawmakers have expressed skepticism about the new unit, given Martin’s history of supporting Trump’s discredited claims about the election. Senator Alex Padilla from California, who chairs the Senate Rules Committee overseeing elections, criticized the unit, fearing it might prioritize targeting political opponents over safeguarding citizens’ voting rights. Representative Jamie Raskin of Maryland condemned the unit as a mechanism for asserting victory irrespective of electoral outcomes.
The Trump administration was anticipated to shift the Justice Department’s focus toward election investigations. Traditionally, the department prioritized tackling voter suppression and state laws impeding voter participation. Conversely, conservatives have advocated for increased measures against voter fraud.
David Becker, a former Justice Department attorney and head of the Center for Election Innovation and Research, expressed uncertainty about the unit’s exact jurisdiction and intent, given Martin’s limited authority to the District of Columbia.
Election experts have raised doubts about the unit’s potential to enhance public trust in the electoral process. Sean Morales-Doyle from the Brennan Center for Justice argued that unfounded voter fraud claims undermine rather than reinforce trust. Despite widespread claims, there is no evidence of significant fraud in the 2020 presidential election; multiple recounts confirmed the results, and numerous court challenges were dismissed, including by judges appointed by Trump.
Before the 2024 elections, Republicans initiated several legal actions concerning voting practices and voter registrations, possibly to challenge results if Trump did not win.
Since his appointment in January, Martin’s actions have stirred controversy within the D.C. U.S. attorney’s office. He demoted senior officials involved in politically charged cases and prompted the resignation of the office’s criminal division chief. Furthermore, Martin has made controversial statements about federal prosecutors’ roles, aligned closely with Trump’s priorities, and issued warnings to members of Congress and educational institutions challenging diversity initiatives.
