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Bipartisan congressional aides suggest that Ed Martin, the nominee for U.S. attorney, may secure a narrow victory through a party-line vote.
The Senate Judiciary Committee typically does not hold hearings for U.S. attorney nominees, opting instead to send them directly to the full Senate for a vote. However, opponents of Ed Martin, who was nominated by President Trump to serve as the top federal prosecutor in Washington, D.C., argue that his controversial actions warrant a public hearing for greater oversight.
Since taking on the role of acting U.S. attorney in January, Mr. Martin has disrupted established practices and negatively impacted morale within one of the nation’s key prosecutorial offices. He has executed mass firings of attorneys involved in prosecuting Capitol rioters, issued threats to political opponents, and pressured subordinates to engage in questionable actions.
Despite some Republicans harboring private concerns, many congressional aides from both parties believe that Mr. Martin stands a reasonable chance of being confirmed through a party-line vote.
On Monday, about 100 former assistant U.S. attorneys urged the Judiciary Committee’s chairman, Senator Charles Grassley, a Republican from Iowa, to hold a public confirmation hearing that would allow witnesses—such as the prosecutors Mr. Martin dismissed—to testify against his confirmation.
“Martin’s blatant misconduct poses a threat to law enforcement, the rule of law, and the United States Constitution itself,” one of the group’s organizers stated.
Senate Democrats are also expected to advocate for confirmation hearings later this week.
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