Justice Department Official Accused of Ethics Violations for Letter to Georgetown Dean

The Office of Disciplinary Counsel has charged Ed Martin, the Justice Department's pardon attorney, with professional misconduct for a threatening letter he sent to the Georgetown Law School dean.

Published on Mar. 11, 2026

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The Office of Disciplinary Counsel has accused Ed Martin, a Justice Department official and ardent Trump loyalist, of professional misconduct for a threatening letter he sent to the dean of Georgetown Law School last year. Martin, who was the interim U.S. Attorney for Washington, D.C. at the time, warned the dean that his office would not hire Georgetown law students if the school did not eliminate its diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs, which Martin claimed were 'unacceptable.' The disciplinary office has accused Martin of violating his oath of office and the Constitution's rights to free speech and due process.

Why it matters

This case highlights the ongoing tensions between the federal government and academic institutions over issues like DEI programs, as well as the ethical standards expected of high-ranking Justice Department officials. It raises questions about the appropriate boundaries between government and academia, and whether officials should be able to use their positions to influence university policies.

The details

According to the ethics charges filed by the Office of Disciplinary Counsel, Martin sent a threatening letter to Georgetown Law School Dean William Treanor last February, warning that his office would not consider hiring any Georgetown law students if the school did not eliminate its DEI programs. This came after Martin, who was the interim U.S. Attorney for D.C. at the time, was informed by a whistleblower that Georgetown was 'continuing to promote and teach DEI.' Treanor responded by telling Martin that the First Amendment prohibits the government from dictating a university's curriculum or teaching methods.

  • In February 2025, Martin sent the threatening letter to Georgetown Law Dean William Treanor.
  • In May 2025, Trump picked Fox News host Jeanine Pirro to replace Martin as U.S. Attorney for D.C.

The players

Ed Martin

The Justice Department's pardon attorney and a former interim U.S. Attorney for Washington, D.C. who is accused of professional misconduct for sending a threatening letter to the Georgetown Law School dean.

William Treanor

The dean of Georgetown Law School, who responded to Martin's letter by stating that the First Amendment prohibits the government from dictating a university's curriculum or teaching methods.

Hamilton Fox

The head of the Office of Disciplinary Counsel, which has filed ethics charges against Martin for the threatening letter he sent to the Georgetown Law dean.

Donald Trump

The former president who appointed Martin as interim U.S. Attorney for D.C., but later withdrew his nomination for the permanent position after a Republican senator said he could not support Martin due to his advocacy for Trump supporters who stormed the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021.

Jeanine Pirro

The Fox News host who was picked by Trump in May 2025 to replace Martin as U.S. Attorney for D.C.

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What they’re saying

“Given the First Amendment's protection of a university's freedom to determine its own curriculum and how to deliver it, the constitutional violation behind this threat is clear, as is the attack on the University's mission as a Jesuit and Catholic institution.”

— William Treanor, Dean, Georgetown Law School (cruxnow.com)

“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.”

— Justice Department (cruxnow.com)

What’s next

The D.C. Court of Appeals panel will decide whether any discipline is warranted against Ed Martin for his actions.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing tensions between the federal government and academic institutions over issues like diversity, equity and inclusion programs, and the ethical standards expected of high-ranking Justice Department officials. It raises questions about the appropriate boundaries between government and academia, and whether officials should be able to use their positions to influence university policies.