Meet the New DC Prosecutor Who Once Defended Jan. 6 Rioters

Ed Martin, a conservative activist, has taken the helm as the interim U. S. attorney for the District of Columbia. Martin was once a staunch supporter of Donald Trump's false claims about the 2020 election and represented some of the rioters who stormed the U. S. Capitol on January 6, 2021. His appointment has sparked a significant shift in the office's priorities, starting with the dismissal of hundreds of Jan. 6 cases. He has also ordered an internal review of a felony charge used against many of the rioters. Martin's actions underscore Trump's commitment to placing loyalists in key Justice Department positions. Critics argue that Martin's priorities may be more aligned with Trump's political agenda than with public safety. Martin's past includes attendance at a "Stop the Steal" rally and serving on the board of a group that supported Jan. 6 defendants. He has even claimed that most of the Capitol riot footage shows ordinary people behaving normally. His new role has triggered concerns about potential bias and the future of justice in Washington, D. C.