Senate Democrats demand hearing on Ed Martin's U.S. attorney nomination

Senate Judiciary Democrats are advocating for a rare hearing on Ed Martin's nomination as U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia, arguing that his controversial record warrants greater scrutiny. Martin, who has served as interim U.S. attorney since Inauguration Day, has faced criticism for his associations with far-right figures and his actions related to the January 6 Capitol attack. Notably, he has praised Timothy Hale, a Nazi sympathizer, and has been accused of threatening investigations against critics of the Trump administration. The committee's ranking member, Dick Durbin, emphasized that Martin's past comments and actions, including a significant number of removed podcasts, raise serious concerns about his qualifications. While Republican Chairman Charles Grassley has denied the request for a hearing based on committee precedent, Durbin plans to appeal to Republican lawmakers for support. Martin's interim appointment is set to end soon, and if not confirmed, a federal judge will appoint a successor.