Ed Martin, the recently departed interim U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia and incoming head of the Justice Department’s controversial ‘Weaponization Working Group,’ finds himself at the center of an ethics investigation. In a surprising twist, Martin is accusing D.C.’s Office of Disciplinary Counsel, specifically its chief prosecutor Hamilton P. “Phil” Fox III, of weaponizing the investigation against him.
Martin, in a farewell email to his staff, expressed outrage at the investigation, claiming it’s part of a broader pattern of mistreatment of prosecutors. He alleges that Fox’s actions, such as sending “signature required” mail to his home and office, are intended to harass and intimidate. This claim is further amplified in a letter Martin sent to Judge Anna Blackburne-Rigsby of the District of Columbia Court of Appeals, where he directly accuses Fox of weaponizing his position and requests the investigation be dismissed.
The investigation itself stems from complaints filed against Martin regarding his actions during his tenure as U.S. Attorney. While many such complaints are routinely dismissed, this particular investigation, assigned docket number 2025-D047, appears to be moving forward. The details remain confidential for now and will only become public if the Office of Disciplinary Counsel decides to pursue formal disciplinary action.
This development adds another layer of complexity to the already contentious Weaponization Working Group, formed under an executive order from President Trump. The group’s mandate is to investigate various matters, including the actions of former Special Counsel Jack Smith and the Justice Department’s response to the January 6th Capitol riot. Martin’s appointment to lead this group was never confirmed by the Senate, and he was replaced as interim U.S. Attorney by Jeanine Pirro. His recent public statements, including a pledge to “shame” individuals even without criminal charges, have already drawn significant attention.
The irony of the situation is palpable: the man tasked with investigating the alleged weaponization of the justice system now finds himself accused of the same. The outcome of the disciplinary investigation against Martin remains to be seen, but it will undoubtedly continue to fuel the ongoing debate surrounding the Weaponization Working Group and its controversial mission.
