Senate Judiciary members press for hearing on Ed Martin nomination, cite past statements and DOJ actions

Several Senate Judiciary Committee Democrats called for a hearing on the nomination of Ed Martin to be U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia, citing what they described as a pattern of offensive public statements and concerning associations.

"Mr. Martin has a long record of objectionable statements and conduct," said Senator Dick Durbin, ranking member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, during the meeting. Durbin recounted several statements he attributed to Martin, including a social-media post on Jan. 6 that Durbin quoted as "like Mardi Gras in DC today, love, faith, and joy, ignore fake news," and other remarks praising or defending figures associated with the Jan. 6 attack. Durbin said Martin called officer Michael Fanone "a fake cop" and praised individuals linked to extremist groups.

Durbin told colleagues that Martin had received more than 500 questions for the record from senators on the committee and that Martin had been asked to submit written responses before the committee decides whether to hold a hearing. Chairman Chuck Grassley said he understood members wanted written responses and that the committee practice is to allow nominees to answer in writing before further action.

Senator Mazie Hirono, Senator Adam Schiff and others joined Durbin in urging a hearing. Hirono asked to enter a Japanese American Citizens League statement dated April 9, 2025, into the record condemning Martin's comparison of the Jan. 6 prosecutions to the World War II internment of Japanese Americans.

Senator Adam Schiff raised a separate but related concern about recent Justice Department action: he described a Justice Department filing or position seeking to foreclose collection of court-ordered restitution for some January 6 defendants, and said that position, combined with pardons and the nomination, raises troubling signals about accountability.

Why it matters: The U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia is the lead federal prosecutor for the nation's capital. Senators said Martin's past comments and associations require examination under oath; several requested a hearing so members can question him directly.

What the committee did: Committee leadership agreed to wait for Martin's written responses to the extensive questions for the record before deciding whether to hold a hearing. There was no committee vote to advance or reject Martin's nomination at the meeting.

Ending: Members on both sides said they would review the nominee's written responses; Durbin and other Democrats said they would press for a hearing. Chairman Grassley said he appreciated cooperation and expected the committee to consider the nominee's written answers before taking further action.