D.C. Bar Files Ethics Charges Against Justice Department Attorney Ed Martin

Justice Department official Ed Martin is facing disciplinary proceedings from the D.C. Bar over alleged misconduct, including an effort to punish Georgetown University Law Center for its diversity, inclusion and equity programs.

The filing was submitted on Friday by Hamilton Fox, who serves as disciplinary counsel for the bar association, but became public on Tuesday. It cites a letter Martin wrote in February 2025 while serving as interim U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia. In the letter to the dean of Georgetown University Law Center, Martin states his office will not hire any of the school’s students or affiliates because of DEI policies.

In his formal complaint, Fox wrote that “Mr. Martin knew or should have known that, as a government official, his conduct violated the First and Fifth Amendments to the Constitution of the United States.”

“He demanded that Georgetown Law change what it teaches students and how it teaches them,” Fox continued. “Acting in his official capacity and speaking on behalf of the government, he used coercion to punish or suppress a disfavored viewpoint, the teaching and promotion of ‘DEI.’”

The Justice Department defended Martin in a statement to NOTUS.

“The DC bar’s attempt to target and punish those serving President Trump while refusing to investigate or act against actual ethical violations that were committed by Biden and Obama administration attorneys is a clear indication of this partisan organization’s agenda,” a DOJ spokesperson said.

Martin is no longer leading the office as interim U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia because his nomination was pulled after he did not receive enough support in the Senate to be confirmed.

In his complaint filing, Fox did not suggest how Martin should be reprimanded if the discipline boards and the court determine he violated attorney ethical codes.

The D.C. Bar has initiated other disciplinary proceedings against attorneys with ties to Trump — reasons include knowingly making false statements to courts after the 2020 presidential election and interfering with the administration of justice.

Rudy Giuliani, who acted as a personal lawyer for Trump, was indicted and disbarred for his efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 election. He was pardoned by Trump last year.