Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.) is asking for an FBI investigation into Ed Martin after President Trump’s pick for U.S. attorney in D.C. failed to disclose more than 150 appearances from social media in his confirmation disclosures.
Ed Martin appeared on RT, formerly Russia today, and Sputnik more than 150 times between 2016 and 2024, but he failed to detail those appearances as required on paperwork to vet his nomination, which asks for a detailed breakdown of all media commentary.
Raskin noted that both networks were required to register as foreign agents under the first Trump administration in asking FBI Director Kash Patel to “investigate whether Mr. Martin’s omissions were inadvertent or part of a deliberate attempt to conceal his extensive ties to Russian media and intelligence operations.”
“The Congress of the United States and the American people deserve a full picture of Mr. Martin, his relationships to Russia, and his political loyalties,” Raskin wrote.
“RT and Sputnik have been ‘critical elements’ in Moscow’s propaganda and disinformation efforts, which have been addressed by both Democratic and Republican administrations. Since 2017 and 2018, the Department of Justice (DOJ) ‘has required RT and Sputnik to register as foreign agents, reflecting Russian government control over their operations,’” he wrote, noting that last year the U.S. Canada, and Britain all sanctioned the networks due to their “disinformation campaigns” targeting U.S. elections.
The Justice Department last year also brought charges against two employees of RT for running an influence campaign by contracting for content from U.S. social media influencers.
Martin is currently serving as the interim U.S. Attorney in D.C., drawing controversy over a number of unusual moves, from penning a public letter to Elon Musk threatening to use his prosecutorial platform to go after those who “even acted simply unethically” to launching investigations into two Democratic lawmakers.
Neither the FBI nor Martin’s office responded to request for comment, but after The Washington Post reported Martin’s extensive media appearances, a spokesman for Martin said he has now updated his confirmation paperwork.
Raskin said the appearances show Martin repeatedly reflecting Russian talking points.
“During the same period that Mr. Martin was appearing on Russian media outlets, he appears to have promoted Russian interests. For example, just 16 days after Russia invaded Ukraine, Mr. Martin suggested Vladimir Putin might be a ‘hero.’ Moreover, Mr. Martin has repeatedly denigrated the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), questioning whether NATO countries have ever supported the United States,” he wrote.
“Sputnik and RT appeared to capitalize on these sentiments and reportedly ‘relied on Martin to explain America in terms that seemed to match the perspective of the Kremlin, mostly to its international audiences.’”
Nominees for U.S. attorney postings don't typically have confirmation hearings, but calls to do so for Martin have escalated in light of the numerous calls for investigations that have emerged under his short tenure.
Lawmakers have previously requested three other probes of Martin, including for remaining the attorney of record for a Jan. 6 defendant while moving to dismiss charges against him.
Martin, a “Stop the Steal” speaker, has also fired or reassigned prosecutors in his office that worked on Jan. 6 cases.
Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), the top Democrat on the Senate Judiciary Committee, called the appearances “further evidence that the Committee must hold a hearing and hear from Ed Martin directly, under oath. We must take our constitutional duty of advice and consent seriously.”
Raskin echoed that with a separate letter to Durbin and Chair Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa).
“I urge you to place a hold on Mr. Martin’s nomination to be the next U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia until Congress receives more information about this troubling omission and not to move forward without having the opportunity to question Mr. Martin about these discrepancies, under oath, at a confirmation hearing,” Raskin wrote.
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