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January 6
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Donald Trump
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Ed Martin, head of weaponization of the Presidential Department of Justice, called on New York Attorney General Letitia James to resign and take photos outside his Brooklyn home last week – all of which was when he was investigating his actions.
His investigation into James is a civil fraud charge against Trump, his adult son and the Trump organization last year, one of several enemies initiated by the Justice Department.
But since the investigation into James, Martin has taken several unusual steps that go far beyond the norms of prosecution. He wrote to James' attorney Abbe Lowell on August 12, implying the resignation of the top law enforcement officer in New York, who appeared outside James' home and outside colleagues who were delayed by photographers at the New York Post and appeared on Fox News, promising to bring a broad look to all James' actions.
In the video obtained by CNN, Martin can be seen posing in photos outside of James's house.
“It's a criminal investigation, not social media,” said Elie Honig, senior legal analyst at CNN. “Such stunts like this may get clicks, but prosecutors are obviously not suitable for doing so, which will surely give James and her attorney a basis to object to any prosecution, believing it's bias against the jury pool and that the indictment is bad.”
In response to Martin, Lowell said the behavior “beyond the scope of the Department of Justice and the Code of Ethics.”
The Justice Department’s policy generally prohibits public discussion of criminal investigations, and lawyers should not conduct investigations for political means or fishing expeditions.
The Justice Department declined to comment on the story.
Martin's title and investigation
Martin, a wielding armed flame, pushes the retribution agenda that draws Trump’s attention, has four championships in the Justice Department: U.S. pardon lawyer, special counsel for mortgage fraud, deputy attorney general and director of the Weaponization Task Force.
He is also investigating another Trump enemy, Democratic Senator Adam Schiff of California, who led the Congressional investigation into the 2016 presidential election.
Both James and Siff denied any misconduct.
“We’re going to go to the bottom of the facts and if someone does something wrong, we’re not only responsible, but we’re going to think about everything else they’ve been doing. Because when you’re a liar, you’re not only lying, but you’re lying,” Martin said on Sunday’s Fox News. “When you’re a liar, you’re not just cheating.
Grand juries in Virginia and New York are investigating James, and people familiar with the matter told CNN. A New York grand jury called James and was investigating her investigation into the Trump Organization and the National Rifle Association. Another Virginia investigation is examining whether she has committed mortgage fraud on her loan application.
Lowell sent a letter to Martin in a letter Monday, speaking, saying, “Let me know: This is not going to happen here.”
“If you have any questions about your political retribution mission, you deleted them in the first statement of your appointment when you point out that your mission is to 'persevere landing'. The responsible federal prosecutor is not a pommel horse gymnast,” Lowell wrote.
Lowell said the investigation was about “unfounded, enduring allegations.”
Before entering the administration, Martin was the organizer of the “Stop Stealing” campaign, claiming that the 2020 election was rigged and later defended the Riot held at the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021. Martin was attacked by Trump as a temporary lawyer for the District of Columbia, where he quickly dismissed the Jan. 6 case and fired prosecutors involved.
His term was turbulent, and his nomination was revoked after opposition from both parties.
Martin said Sunday at Fox that he had meetings in New York and New Jersey last week and went to James' home.
“I want to watch it,” he said. “You have to understand what is actually endangered.”