President Trump nominated Ed Martin — who defended Jan. 6 rioters and Elon Musk’s efforts with the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) — to serve as the permanent U.S. attorney for D.C.
Martin has been serving in the role on an interim basis since shortly after Trump was sworn into office. The job requires Senate confirmation.
“Since Inauguration Day, Ed has been doing a great job as Interim U.S. Attorney, fighting tirelessly to restore Law and Order, and make our Nation’s Capital Safe and Beautiful Again. He will get the job done,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform on Monday.
Trump touted Martin’s “distinguished career of service,” noting he served as Human Rights Office Director for the Catholic Archdiocese of St. Louis, supervising legal clinics for low-income residents.
Martin was also involved in Republican politics, serving as the head of the party in Missouri.
“He has also invested his expertise in other roles, but always with the same goal, of serving his community, and creating a brighter future for all,” Trump wrote.
Since assuming the role of interim U.S. attorney, Martin has overseen the pardons of hundreds of Jan. 6, 2021, rioters, and he directed a review of prosecutors’ use of an obstruction felony charge brought against hundreds of Capitol riot defendants.
He is listed as the attorney for at least three Capitol rioters, according to The Associated Press, including a member of the Proud Boys who pleaded guilty to felony charges.
Martin embraced many of the false claims of election fraud in the 2020 cycle. He spoke at a “Stop the Steal” rally on Jan. 5, 2021 — one day before the attack on the Capitol — and told the crowd, “What they’re stealing is not just an election. It’s our future and it’s our republic,” according to the AP.
He attended Trump’s rally near the White House on Jan. 6, 2021, and posted about it on social media, the AP reported: “I’m at the Capitol right now… Rowdy crowd but nothing out of hand. Ignore the #FakeNews.”
Martin has also come to Musk’s defense, as he and his team at DOGE faced some pushback from government employees as they questioned Musk’s authority to access sensitive information.
Martin tweeted his own letter to Musk, offering legal assistance: “I recognize that some of the staff at DOGE has been targeted publicly. At this time, I ask that you utilize me and my staff to assist in protecting DOGE work and the DOGE workers. Any threats, confrontations, or other actions in any way that impact their work may break numerous laws.”
“Let me assure you of this: we will pursue any and all legal action against anyone who impedes your work or threatens your people,” he added.
