Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita is leading a coalition of 23 states in strong support of President Donald J. Trump’s nomination of Edward R. Martin, Jr. to serve as U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia.
In a letter sent today to U.S. Senate Majority Leader John Thune and Senate Judiciary Chairman Chuck Grassley, the Attorneys General emphasized the importance of Martin’s nomination for advancing President Trump’s goal of making DC safe and beautiful again. The letter calls on the Senate leaders to confirm Martin without delay.
The message from the AG coalition is clear: there is a crucial need to restore law and order in Washington, D.C., where crime escalated dramatically under the Biden administration’s lax-on-crime policies, and where visitors from across the globe are welcomed to America – many for the first time – with garbage and graffiti.
As the nation’s capital, D.C. belongs to Hoosiers and all Americans, who should be able to visit and appreciate the city in comfort and safety. That is especially true as America prepares to celebrate 250 years of independence next year.
“I am proud to lead this effort to support Ed Martin because he’s a proven leader who is already devoting all of his time to restoring the rule of law in our nation’s capital,” Attorney General Todd Rokita said. “His bold actions have had an immediate impact, which sent the disreputable D.C. news media into a full-blown meltdown – the Senate must act swiftly to confirm him and ensure his critical work continues uninterrupted.”
Attorney General Rokita’s letter highlights Martin’s success bringing public order back to the District while serving as interim U.S. Attorney since January 20, 2025. Since being appointed by President Trump, Martin has achieved a 25 percent reduction in violent crime and intensified prosecutions for firearm trafficking, drug distribution, and violent offenses.
Martin’s accomplishments during the short time he has served as interim U.S. Attorney include taking decisive action against pro-Hamas vandals, fighting Chinese-backed hackers, cracking down on illegal alien gangs, and bringing corrupt civil servants to justice. Martin has also worked to root out the lawfare that President Biden fostered within the Department of Justice.
The Rokita-led letter particularly condemns partisan attacks from Senate Democrats and calls on Senate Republicans to dismiss these tactics and expedite Martin’s confirmation to ensure that the progress already made under President Trump in bringing safety and security back to Washington, D.C., continues.
Martin’s qualifications include clerking for the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit, litigating at Bryan Cave LLP, and running his own law practice for nearly two decades. His public service roles include Chairman of the St. Louis Board of Election Commissioners and Chief of Staff to Missouri Governor Matt Blunt.
