The District of Columbia Bar has filed ethics charges against Ed Martin, a senior Justice Department official, accusing him of misconduct in his pressure campaign against Georgetown University. The disciplinary body submitted the filing to the D.C. Court of Appeals Board on Professional Responsibility, marking a significant escalation in efforts to hold Trump administration lawyers accountable for ethics violations.

The complaint alleges Martin violated his oath of office, engaged in unauthorized ex parte communications with judges, and interfered with the administration of justice. Martin, who stepped down as U.S. attorney in Washington due to insufficient Senate support, now serves as the Justice Department's pardon attorney with unprecedented White House access. His actions stem from an unusual February letter threatening sanctions against Georgetown for promoting diversity, equity and inclusion.

This case follows similar disciplinary efforts against other Trump administration lawyers, including ongoing proceedings against Jeffrey Clark from the first Trump administration. The Justice Department has accused the D.C. Bar of political motivations, claiming it targets Trump appointees while ignoring alleged violations by previous administrations. The maximum penalty is disbarment, though such proceedings typically take years to resolve.