Senate Judiciary Democrats are pushing for a uncommon listening to on a U.S. lawyer nominee as they argue President Trump’s decide to steer the workplace in D.C., Ed Martin, is particularly alarming and deserving of additional scrutiny.
Martin has held the job on an interim foundation since Inauguration Day, however in only a few brief weeks on the job he’s sparked vital consideration and three completely different requires investigations.
“While the Senate Judiciary Committee does not typically hold hearings for U.S. Attorney nominees, Mr. Martin’s record merits heightened scrutiny,” Judiciary Committee rating member Dick Durbin (D-Sick.) wrote.
The Democrats pointed to a string of actions taken by Martin in workplace – from calling himself the president’s lawyer to currying favor with Elon Musk and launching investigations into two Democratic lawmakers.
However within the Wednesday letter Durbin additionally highlighted Martin’s help of a Nazi sympathizing Jan. 6 defendant and raised the spectre that Martin could have erased a lot of his previous podcasts.
“Since his nomination to serve as U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia, Mr. Martin appears to have attempted to scrub much of his previous public commentary from the internet. For example, nearly 1,000 hours of his podcast have been removed from online platforms, such as Spotify and Apple Podcasts, interfering with the Committee’s ability to thoroughly examine his record,” the lawmakers wrote.
Additionally they pointed to a speech Martin gave at Trump’s Bedminster Membership praising Tim Hale, a Jan. 6 defendant the lawmakers describe as having an “intensive and well-known historical past of antisemitism, misogyny, and racism, together with direct reward of Adolf Hitler.”
“It’s one of the goals of many of us to make sure that the world—and especially America—hears more from Tim Hale because he’s extraordinary,” Martin mentioned after calling Hale “an extraordinary man, an extraordinary leader.”
The panel doesn’t often maintain affirmation hearings for the 94 U.S. attorneys nominated by the president, and Chair Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) mentioned he was tired of doing so.
“The Senate Judiciary Committee hasn’t held a hearing for a U.S. Attorney nominee in more than 40 years, and not once in the time Grassley has chaired or been ranking on the committee. Chairman Grassley intends to maintain this precedent,” Grassley spokeswoman Clare Slattery mentioned.
“The Judiciary Committee will thoroughly review Ed Martin’s background and qualifications, including his questions for the record, as part of its standard nominations process for U.S. Attorneys.”
Sen. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) on Tuesday positioned a maintain on Martin’s nomination – a transfer that blocks his swift consideration on the Senate ground however one Republicans can simply defeat with simply 50 votes.
Martin, who has by no means beforehand served as a prosecutor, is dealing with two requires investigations by the Justice Division’s Workplace of Inspector Basic and whereas one other from Durbin was despatched to the D.C. bar.
Martin has written public letters to Musk, vowing to go after those that “even acted simply unethically,” saying he would “chase them to the ends of the earth to hold them accountable” and added that “noone [sic] is above the law.”
These letters appeared to function the premise for later correspondence to Senate Minority Chief Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and Rep. Robert Garcia (D-Calif.) asking about alleged “threats” they made towards public officers. Martin’s investigation into Schumer for feedback he made 5 years in the past warning justices would “pay the price” in regard to an abortion case seems to have fallen by the wayside, in accordance with reporting from The Washington Submit.
Martin’s Jan. 6 connections — each earlier than and after taking over his new position — have additionally triggered alarm.
Martin flouted a subpoena by the now-disbanded Jan. 6 panel in relation to his position as a Cease the Steal organizer. He additionally later represented not less than three defendants who have been charged in reference to storming the Capitol.
Martin is dealing with requests for 2 ethics investigations after he concurrently was the lawyer of file each for the Justice Division and a Jan. 6 defendant he represented, submitting to dismiss his fees following Trump’s widespread pardons.
Martin has additionally sidelined prosecutors that labored on Jan. 6 instances, demoting a number of to entry-level positions.
“Among his first official actions were to shut down the section of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia (USAO-DC) that was handling January 6 cases and terminate numerous prosecutors who were involved in prosecuting January 6 rioters,” Durbin wrote.
Whereas Martin’s workplace didn’t reply to request for remark, the Constitutional Rights PAC has launched a Stand With Ed Martin marketing campaign, indicating their preparation for a tough affirmation path.
It options various quotes from these supportive of the lawyer, together with the late Phyllis Schlafly, who employed Martin for a number one position at her group.
“Ed is a man of unwavering integrity. He stands on principle and always, always strives to do what is right, by the Constitution, the American People, and the Lord Jesus Christ,” the web site states.
“This is precisely why President Donald Trump has asked him to serve in one of the most unsung, yet critical roles in his administration. Ed has been called to be the United States Attorney for Washington, DC, perhaps the most powerful prosecutor in the country, with the ability to shape the application of justice in our Nation’s Capital, routing out the sickness and corruption and bringing hope nee hope [sic] to America. And because you can trust him, the attacks will come.”
