President Donald Trump has nominated Ed Martin, a conservative activist who repeatedly defended participants in the January 6 Capitol riots, to permanently lead the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Washington, D.C. The move reignites debates over law and order policies and accountability for the 2021 attack that disrupted the certification of President Joe Biden’s election victory.
Martin, who has served as interim U.S. Attorney since Trump’s January 20 inauguration, requires Senate confirmation for the permanent role. In a Truth Social post, Trump praised Martin’s work:
Ed has been fighting tirelessly to restore Law and Order, and make our Nation’s Capital Safe and Beautiful Again.
A graduate of St. Louis University School of Law, Martin previously managed legal clinics for low-income residents through the St. Louis Archdiocese and chaired the Missouri Republican Party. His interim tenure drew scrutiny after he dismissed over 100 Jan. 6 cases following presidential pardons and launched reviews of prosecutors’ charging strategies.
Key actions during Martin’s interim term include:
- Overseeing case dismissals tied to Trump’s pardons
- Ordering internal reviews of felony charges against rioters
- Collaborating with Elon Musk’s DOGE initiative on government efficiency audits
Alexis Loeb, former deputy chief of the Jan. 6 prosecution unit, criticized the appointment:
He appears to prioritize political agendas over public safety.Martin also faces questions over his participation in pre-riot “Stop the Steal” rallies and leadership roles with groups supporting Jan. 6 defendants.
The nomination comes amid ongoing debates about prosecutorial independence, with Martin previously describing federal attorneys as the President’s lawyers.Legal analysts suggest his confirmation could test Senate Republicans’ stance on executive influence in judicial matters.
As DC’s top prosecutor, Martin would oversee high-profile cases involving political violence and government accountability. His supporters argue he’ll combat street crime, while critics warn of potential bias in handling investigations tied to Trump allies.