The highest Democrat on the Senate Judiciary Committee has filed a misconduct criticism towards Ed Martin, the interim U.S. legal professional for Washington, D.C. over his alleged evaluation and communication with Jan. 6 defendants and their prosecutions after taking his new job.
In a letter to the Office of Disciplinary Counsel on the District of Columbia Court docket of Appeals, Sen. Richard J. Durbin, Illinois Democrat, joined by fellow Democrats on the Judiciary Committee, requested a misconduct investigation into Mr. Martin for persevering with to speak with earlier Jan. 6 purchasers and defendants.
Additionally they say he’s chilling federal staff’ constitutional rights by requiring Jan. 6 prosecutors to establish themselves and hand over paperwork associated to the instances involving an obstruction cost that was shot down by the Supreme Court docket final yr.
“Mr. Martin created an look of impropriety,” the letter learn.
They are saying Mr. Martin has violated an expert conduct rule that prohibits representing a shopper if “[t]he lawyer’s skilled judgment on behalf of the shopper might be or moderately could also be adversely affected by the lawyer’s obligations to or pursuits in a 3rd get together,” as Mr. Martin has been representing Jan. 6 defendants after his appointment as interim U.S. legal professional.
The letter cites an instance the place Mr. Martin filed a courtroom report on behalf of a shopper Feb. 4, after being appointed Jan. 27.
The Democrats additionally allege a violation of a rule that bans “conduct that severely interferes with the administration of justice.”
The letter additionally complains about Mr. Martin supporting Elon Musk’s request as he critiques authorities effectivity, and a request to former particular counsel Jack Smith and his workforce to “[s]ave your receipts.” Mr. Smith prosecuted President Trump over his alleged federal election fraud case and his alleged mishandling of categorized paperwork in Florida. Each instances have been dropped.
“Mr. Martin’s conduct not solely speaks to his health as a lawyer; his actions are a part of a broader course of conduct by President Trump and his allies to undermine the standard independence of Division of Justice investigations and prosecutions and the rule of legislation,” the letter learn.
“When a authorities lawyer, significantly one entrusted with a management function within the nation’s foremost legislation enforcement company, commits severe violations {of professional} conduct, it undermines the integrity of our justice system and erodes public confidence in it,” it mentioned.
Mr. Martin’s workplace didn’t instantly reply to a request for remark.
The Office of Disciplinary Counsel in Washington additionally didn’t instantly reply to an inquiry in regards to the requested probe.
