Undaunted Ed Martin: Trump'spick for DC's U.S. Attorney steams ahead, dodging queries on Jan. 6 caper
Republican Nominee for Key Prosecutor Position Evades Senate Inquiries Regarding January 6th, Controversial GOP Remarks
WASHINGTON - Ed Martin, tapped by Trump as the interim U.S. Attorney for D.C., danced around questions about his views on January 6th and his previous criticism of GOP lawmakers, in response to the Senate Judiciary Committee's queries during his confirmation process.
A longtime conservative crusader who leapt onto the "Stop the Steal" bandwagon post-2020 election, Martin's nomination for the permanent post has raised eyebrows among Senate Democrats and seasoned federal prosecutors, with concerns over his lack of experience, questionable past comments, and alleged politicization of the job.
If Martin remains the interim U.S. Attorney by May 20th and doesn't receive Senate confirmation, the DC federal court will nominate a replacement until his confirmation.
The Senate Committee obtained Martin's responses to written questions in his confirmation process, which revealed a few key details. Among them, Martin distanced himself from Timothy Hale-Cusanelli, a self-proclaimed Nazi sympathizer who was sentenced to four years in prison in 2022 and pardoned by Trump this year. Previously, Martin had praised Hale-Cusanelli as an "extraordinary leader" when presenting him an award.
Martin downplayed his interactions with Hale-Cusanelli, saying he could barely remember them. He also declined to comment on if he ever suggested the January 6th attack had been deliberately planned, premeditated, or orchestrated by the FBI, citing an ongoing investigation into his predecessors' handling of obstruction charges used against January 6 defendants and the Justice Department's policy against commenting on ongoing matters.
Senate Democrats like Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) have accused Martin of evading questions, stating that his responses are replete with false statements and omissions. They are demanding that he appear for a live hearing to answer these claims.
A spokesperson for Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) has confirmed that the Committee will not hold a confirmation hearing for Martin, following "longtime committee precedent." The Committee is expected to list him on the agenda for a committee vote once all background materials are submitted, a process that typically takes several weeks with controversial nominees.
California Senator Adam Schiff has placed a hold on Martin's nomination, vowing to sabotage efforts to push his appointment through.
By the Numbers:
- Number of times Martin 'doesn't recall' the answer: 39+
- Number of times Martin answers 'I don't know': 21+
- Number of times Martin cites ongoing investigations to decline answering questions: 20+
Martin did not respond to Durbin's criticisms regarding his responses.
As the May 20th deadline approaches, questions from the Senate Judiciary Committee appear crafted to entice Republican votes, such as queries aimed at revealing Martin's criticisms of GOP senators like Susan Collins, Lisa Murkowski, and John Curtis. These senators have stated that Martin's comments about them are humorous but won't sway their votes. Yet, they voices concerns about Martin's suitability for the role, with Utah's John Curtis stating, "Pause is a good word. But look, I'm just spending a little bit more time with it, to see what it was, what it wasn't."
Martin and Jan. 6 Defendant: A Closer Look
Martin was a member of the Patriot Freedom Project, a group that supported Jan. 6 defendants, for which he received $30,000 as a board member. He claims to have minimal interaction with Hale-Cusanelli and distanced himself from the man's Nazi sympathies.
However, a review of an interview between Martin and Hale-Cusanelli in June 2024 revealed that he dismissed concerns about a controversial photo of Hale-Cusanelli resembling Adolph Hitler, stating that it was not illegal. Despite Hale-Cusanelli's controversial views and photos being public knowledge, Martin's defense of the man has caused alarm.
It is important to note that the evidence presented during Hale-Cusanelli's trial highlighted his sexist, racist, and antisemitic beliefs. The judge dismissed Hale-Cusanelli's attempts to downplay the photo and stated that the evidence presented showed otherwise.
Enrichment Data:
Ed Martin's Views on the January 6 Capitol Attack
Ed Martin, the interim U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia, remains detached from the January 6th Capitol attack's consequences, as he has publicly aligned with Trump's perspective on the event, calling it "a day of love." Martin has also been critical of the prosecution of those allegedly involved in the attack, equating their legal treatment to the internment of Japanese Americans during World War II[1][2].
Relationship with Jan. 6 Defendants
Martin has defended some Jan. 6 defendants and has been involved with a group, the Patriot Freedom Project, that supported defendants accused of participating in the Capitol riot. However, specific details about his relationship with Timothy Hale-Cusanelli, a self-proclaimed Nazi sympathizer, have not been disclosed[1].
Controversies and Investigations
Martin's actions and views have garnered controversy among former prosecutors, who have called for disciplinary investigations, accusing him of undermining the integrity of the U.S. Attorney's Office[5]. Despite these calls, Martin continues to serve in an acting capacity while awaiting Senate confirmation[1][2].
- The Senate Democrats have stated that Ed Martin's responses to the Senate Judiciary Committee's queries during his confirmation process are replete with false statements and omissions.
- In a review of an interview between Ed Martin and Timothy Hale-Cusanelli, Martin dismissed concerns about a controversial photo of Hale-Cusanelli resembling Adolph Hitler, stating that it was not illegal.
- California Senator Adam Schiff has placed a hold on Ed Martin's nomination, vowing to sabotage efforts to push his appointment through.
- Martin's nomination for the permanent post as the U.S. Attorney for D.C. has been controversial, with concerns over his lack of experience, questionable past comments, and alleged politicization of the job.
