Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) strongly criticized the interim attorney for D.C., Ed Martin, for describing prosecutors as “President Trump’s lawyers,” calling his statement “insane.”
In a social media post from the official account of the U.S. Attorney for D.C. released Monday, Martin, who was nominated to the post by Trump last week, said, “As President Trump’s lawyers, we are proud to fight to protect his leadership as our president and we are vigilant in standing against entities like the A.P. that refuse to put America first.”
Reacting to the post, Murphy said, “The U.S. Attorney for DC is not ‘President Trump’s lawyer’ and its job is not to ‘protect his leadership’ nor prosecute people who ‘refuse to put America first.'”
According to the Constitution, the duties of each U.S. attorney’s office include prosecuting federal crimes, representing the U.S. in civil actions and collecting debts owed to the federal government which are administratively uncollectible.
Martin, who defended Jan. 6 rioters and tech billionaire Elon Musk’s actions under the Department of Government Efficiency, was nominated by Trump to serve as the permanent U.S. attorney for D.C. last week. He has been serving in this role on an interim basis since shortly after Trump was sworn into office.
“Since Inauguration Day, Ed has been doing a great job as Interim U.S. Attorney, fighting tirelessly to restore Law and Order, and make our Nation’s Capital Safe and Beautiful Again. He will get the job done,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform last week.
Last Thursday, the federal prosecutor sent letters to Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and Rep. Robert Garcia (D-Calif.), accusing the two of threatening public officials.
Garcia, who publicly shared the letter, was accused by Martin of threatening Musk.
The Hill has reached out to DOJ for comment.
