DC Bar Seeks to Sanction Former Interim US Attorney Over DEI Letter Sent to Georgetown Law

The District of Columbia Bar initiated disciplinary proceedings against former interim U.S. Attorney Ed Martin on March 10, accusing him of trying to coerce Georgetown Law School to end diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs.

Martin, who filled the U.S. Attorney role from January to May 2025 but was never confirmed, is accused of violating the D.C. Bar’s rules of professional conduct during his time in that role. If found to have committed misconduct, he could face disbarment, suspension of his legal license, or lesser sanctions.

During his time as Washington’s interim U.S. attorney, Martin sent a letter to William Treanor, dean of Georgetown University Law Center, alleging the law school was “teaching and promoting” DEI as part of its curriculum. The letter didn’t specify how.

The letter came less than a month after President Donald Trump issued an executive order directing public schools and universities to end DEI programs, or face a loss of federal funding.

In the February 2025 letter, Martin warned Treanor that no students affiliated with Georgetown Law would be considered for fellows programs, summer internships, or employment until the DEI issue was “resolved.”

“Mr. Martin knew or should have known that, as a government official, his conduct violated the First and Fifth Amendments to the Constitution of the United States,” a petition by Disciplinary Counsel Hamilton P. Fox III reads.

“Acting in his official capacity and speaking on behalf of the government, he used coercion to punish or suppress a disfavored viewpoint,” by demanding the university change its curriculum, threatening to punish it, and not giving Georgetown due process to challenge the allegations, Fox wrote.

Following a request by Democrats from the Senate Judiciary Committee, a disciplinary investigation into the matter began in March 2025. Fox alleged that Martin didn’t respond to that inquiry.

Instead, the petition alleges Martin broke the rules again by trying multiple times to arrange a face-to-face meeting with Chief Judge Anna Blackburne-Rigsby and senior judges of the D.C. Court of Appeals. The chief judge repeatedly told him this was not permissible, according to Fox’s petition.

Martin told the chief judge the inquiry was biased, and asked Blackburne-Rigsby to “not only suspend Mr. Fox immediately to investigate his conduct,” but also to dismiss the case against Martin because of Fox’s “prejudicial conduct.”

In addition to improperly contacting the judge, Fox said Martin engaged “in conduct that seriously interferes with the administration of justice.”

Martin was appointed as pardon attorney in May 2025. The Justice Department accused the bar of operating under a double standard.

“The D.C. bar’s attempt to target and punish those serving President Trump while refusing to investigate or act against actual ethical violations that were committed by Biden and Obama administration attorneys is a clear indication of this partisan organization’s agenda,” a spokesperson for the Justice Department said in a statement.

“Let us not forget that DC-barred members of Biden’s special counsel were found to have acted against President Trump without legal authority and in clear violation of the Constitution, yet the bar did nothing.”