Acting U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia, Ed Martin, is making waves both online and in the courtroom. Known by his self-proclaimed nickname "The Eagle," Martin has taken a bold approach in his temporary role, using social media to call out crime in Washington, D.C., with the hashtag #MarchBadness. His outspoken nature and controversial moves have drawn significant attention, especially as his nomination for the permanent position of U.S. attorney for D.C. is under Senate consideration.
One of Martin's most attention-grabbing posts came on a Saturday when he addressed criminals directly, writing, "Hey, thugs with guns, you hear that? Yup, we comin.'" This statement aligns with a memo he had circulated earlier that week, in which he announced that over a dozen agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) would be dispatched to aid in crime reduction initiatives. In that memo, Martin called this an "amazing opportunity" to crack down on violent crime in the nation's capital.
His latest initiative, the "Make DC Safe Again" campaign, focuses on increasing federal district court prosecutions for gun crimes in Washington, D.C. The memo, obtained by CBS News, explicitly states, "We are following the direction of President Trump and (Attorney) General Bondi in the recent executive orders and memoranda. We will flood the federal district court with cases—to make our city safe." The slogan notably mirrors Trump's "Make America Great Again," further tying Martin's approach to the former president’s policies.
This isn't the first time a similar effort has been attempted. Back in February 2019, a Trump-appointed federal prosecutor announced a strategy to pursue higher-level charges for gun crimes in D.C. However, Martin’s initiative is receiving increased scrutiny, especially given his aggressive tactics and the political climate surrounding his nomination. The U.S. Attorney's Office for D.C. and the local ATF field office have both declined to comment on the matter.
Martin has also been making waves internally. One of his most controversial moves was the demotion of several senior prosecutors, including those who played key roles in prosecuting the January 6 Capitol riot cases. These prosecutors were reassigned to handle misdemeanor cases, a decision that has reportedly caused dissent within his office. According to multiple sources, the move has led to internal conflicts and concerns about the office's direction under Martin’s leadership.
Adding fuel to the fire, Martin has taken steps to expedite the closure of many pending Capitol riot cases, filing a series of motions aimed at resolving these prosecutions quickly. His actions are particularly notable given his past as a defense attorney for Capitol riot defendants and his involvement in the "Stop the Steal" movement, which propagated baseless claims of election fraud in 2020.
His social media presence remains a lightning rod for controversy. In a recent post, Martin took a direct shot at his predecessor, calling him a "Biden prosecutor" who prioritized political prosecutions over violent crime enforcement. He claimed, "He used our $ to chase political hoaxes while the people of DC were terrorized by thugs with guns." Such statements have fueled concerns that Martin is using his office for political purposes rather than purely legal enforcement.
Further raising eyebrows, Martin recently ordered his staff to participate in surveys linked to Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency, requiring them to report on their accomplishments each week. This unconventional management approach has only added to the questions about his leadership style and priorities.
Another highly scrutinized moment came when Martin posted about U.S. attorneys, referring to them as "Trump's lawyers," and stating that they were "vigilant in standing against entities like the [Associated Press] that refuse to put America first." However, U.S. attorneys are not meant to serve as personal attorneys for any president—they are tasked with enforcing federal laws impartially. His statements have raised alarms among congressional Democrats, who worry that he is undermining the independence of the Justice Department.
Martin also made a direct jab at the law firm Covington & Burling and former special counsel Jack Smith, posting a cryptic note saying, "Save your receipts. We’ll be in touch soon." This message linked to a news story highlighting that the firm was defending Smith pro bono. Notably, Smith has indicted Trump in two separate cases, making Martin’s comment seem like a thinly veiled threat.
His actions and statements have drawn both praise and criticism. House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer, a Republican, voiced strong support for Martin, stating, "By nominating Ed Martin to be the next U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia, President Donald Trump wasted no time delivering on his promise to restore law and order in our capital city."
On the other hand, Democratic Congressman Gerry Connolly, the ranking member of the House Oversight Committee, has launched an investigation into Martin’s initiatives. In a letter questioning Martin’s public statements, Connolly noted that Martin’s rhetoric appears to be "directed exclusively at opponents of and express support for the Trump Administration, explicitly criticize the Biden Administration, publicize pending investigative activity by your office, and make assertions of fact for which there exists no evidence."
Connolly further argued that Martin’s actions raise "serious concerns that your new initiative is a pretext for misusing your office for political ends, threatening and intimidating critics of the Administration, and chilling constitutionally protected speech."
As part of this inquiry, House Oversight Committee Democrats have ordered Martin to submit responses by March 11 detailing how his office intends to ensure the safety of Capitol police officers and federal prosecutors involved in the January 6 cases. Additionally, the inquiry demands that Martin confirm whether he believes the Department of Justice represents the interests of the United States as a whole, rather than serving as a tool for the president’s personal political or business agenda.
With his nomination still pending, Martin continues to generate controversy with his provocative approach. His actions, statements, and social media presence have positioned him as a polarizing figure—one who is either seen as a bold law enforcer or a politically motivated disruptor, depending on which side of the aisle you ask. Either way, his tenure as acting U.S. attorney for D.C. is proving to be anything but conventional.
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