Press Releases

Washington, D.C. (March 13, 2025)—Today, Rep. Jamie Raskin, Ranking Member of the House Judiciary Committee, sent a letter to Department of Justice (DOJ) Inspector General Michael Horowitz demanding an immediate investigation into apparent ethical, legal, and constitutional violations committed by Interim U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia, Edward R. Martin, Jr. The letter outlines Mr. Martin’s blatant conflict of interest and his troubling use of the office to attack political enemies and retaliate against career prosecutors.

“I have previously issued oversight requests to Mr. Martin, and he has refused to respond to them or even engage with the Committee. In light of his stunning refusal to cooperate with legitimate congressional inquiries, even while his nomination to be the permanent U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia is pending before the Senate, I am requesting that your office urgently initiate investigations into these profoundly troubling developments,” wrote Ranking Member Raskin in a letter to Inspector General Horowitz.

In just eight weeks, Mr. Martin’s actions have raised serious constitutional, legal, and ethical concerns. Notably, he fired over a dozen federal prosecutors handling violent crime cases because they investigated the January 6th Capitol attack, which Marin attended and praised, and demoted senior leaders responsible for domestic terrorism and violent crimes within the office. Mr. Martin also dismissed the case of a January 6th rioter who he simultaneously represented as defense counsel in a blatant violation of the most basic rules of professional ethics.

In a brazen attempt to stifle dissent, Mr. Martin has also begun an aggressive investigation into Democratic Members of Congress who have been critical of Trump and Elon Musk. He has also used his office and position to threaten law firms, universities, and peaceful protestors.

As the head of one of the largest U.S. Attorney’s offices, Mr. Martin has a responsibility to enforce laws impartially. However, his dismal track record, including his revealing characterization of the D.C. U.S. Attorney’s Office as “President Trump’s lawyers,” raises significant concerns about his commitment to impartial justice.

“The House Judiciary Committee is charged with the responsibility of conducting oversight of the DOJ.  In order to conduct oversight of the D.C. U.S. Attorney’s Office, Members must have a full and accurate understanding of Mr. Martin’s actions. Because Mr. Martin and the DOJ have declined to respond to our requests for information, we respectfully request that the Office of the Inspector General immediately open an investigation into each of the matters listed above and, upon conclusion, issue a public report detailing your findings about this astonishing sequence of events,” concluded Ranking Member Raskin.

Click here to read the letter.