05/13/2025 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 05/13/2025 15:23
[WASHINGTON] U.S. Attorney Edward R. Martin Jr., held a May 13 press conference at the Patrick Henry Building here to discuss his tenure as the District of Columbia's top federal and local prosecutor, the quality-of-life challenges facing the district under its current Home Rule ordinance and the recent immigration actions taken.
These are his remarks as prepared:
When President Donald J. Trump asked me to be his U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia, I immediately accepted because I knew it was a tip of the spear assignment-and I knew if I did the job the way President Trump wanted done, it would get plenty of attention-and so has.
I am proud of what we have done to Make DC Safe Again.
The president has given me a new assignment as the Director of the Weaponization Working Group and the DOJ Pardon Attorney.
I loved my job as D.C.'s U.S. Attorney, but I am really going to love how judge Jeanine Pirro takes up mission with her passion and intelligence and real-world experience as a prosecutor and judge. She really is amazing. I have already been working with her.
My motivation to speak to you today is twofold: First, I wish to highlight our success in fighting illegal immigration. Second, I wish to express my concern that too many bad guys are being let go by our courts - specifically, I note two Fentanyl dealers found in possession of illegal machines guns.
We have recently completely an illegal immigration initiative. I salute the brave men and women of law enforcement who are making D.C. safer by capturing illegal aliens - including 189 in the last week alone.
I want to commend Jonathan Hornok, the head of my criminal section, and our national and local law enforcement partners for the successful execution of operation restore justice here in the district.
However, I want to warn the district residents that the D.C. local leadership has made D.C. a Sanctuary City. This makes D.C. more dangerous not safer. It needs to change and now.
My second point deals with the deteriorating role of our justice system - specifically the courts - in putting bad guys away. Recently, two Fentanyl dealers found in possession of multiple guns were not detained in court. This soft on crime decision making is dangerous. It needs to change.
The president was gracious recently to remind people we reduced crime 25 percent in the president's first 100 Days-but it was not easy. it took attention and resources- law enforcement and our prosecutors had to focus on getting bad actors off the streets. We need help with this.
Congress gave the District of Columbia Home Rule, but with that comes the responsibility to the city's residents, businesses and workers-and a responsibility to the rest of the country to cherish our nation's capital.
When the district's leadership exploited home rule to make Washington a Sanctuary City-they acted as if Washington is just another city-it is not. When our justice system thinks justice is a revolving door when bad actors like the ones with guns and Fentanyl get back on the streets, we have a problem.
As we approach the president's America250 celebration, there needs to be a robust discussion about D.C.'s Sanctuary City status and its justice system -and if that means Home Rule goes away, so be it.
With that, I am ready to take your questions.