A shocking incident involving the top federal prosecutor for Washington D.C. has concluded with a guilty plea. Emily Gabriella Sommer, 32, pleaded guilty on Thursday to assault charges stemming from an incident where she spat on then-acting U.S. Attorney Ed Martin Jr. during a videotaped interview. The assault occurred on May 8th, on a sidewalk outside Martin’s office, as a Newsmax reporter conducted an interview. Sommer approached Martin, identified herself, and then proceeded to spit on his shoulder before verbally abusing him and claiming to have served him. This wasn’t the end of her aggressive behavior.
Several days later, on May 22nd, when U.S. Marshals attempted to arrest Sommer, she continued her violent outburst. Prosecutors stated that she spat in a deputy’s face, kicked him, and made further threats, including a chilling statement about shooting the deputies. Her erratic behavior continued even into her initial court appearance in May, where she repeatedly disrupted the proceedings, leading to her removal from the courtroom. She later apologized for this disruptive behavior.
The guilty plea comes ahead of a scheduled trial that was set to begin next Monday. Sommer’s sentencing is now scheduled for October 10th. She pleaded guilty to three counts of assaulting public officials. The incident occurred on the same day that President Donald Trump withdrew Martin’s nomination to remain U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia, following bipartisan opposition in the Senate related to Martin’s controversial tenure and actions within the office. Martin’s replacement, former Fox News host Jeanine Pirro, was confirmed by the Senate on August 2nd.
This case highlights the serious consequences of assaulting public officials and underscores the importance of respecting the rule of law. The details of Sommer’s actions, from the initial spitting incident to the subsequent assault on law enforcement officers during her arrest, paint a picture of escalating aggression and disregard for authority. The upcoming sentencing will determine the appropriate punishment for her actions.
