Washington D.C.’s top prosecutor, Ed Martin, has announced a new investigation into election fraud cases, despite unclear authority and potential jurisdictional issues. In an internal email, Martin created a new office called the Special Unit Election Accountability and asked for volunteers to staff it. The email stated that restoring confidence in election systems is crucial and that the unit will protect them.
However, Martin did not explain whether he would have jurisdiction to pursue cases beyond the District of Columbia or if he consulted with the Justice Department’s Public Integrity Section, which must be involved before opening an election fraud case.
The move comes as the Public Integrity Section faces staffing cuts amid a wave of resignations. Numerous studies have shown that election fraud is extremely rare in the United States.
Ed Martin has a history of echoing Trump’s false claims about the 2020 election being stolen and has threatened members of Congress with investigations. He recently nominated himself for permanent U.S. attorney, but it remains unclear if he will have sufficient support in the Senate.
The investigation raises concerns about the potential for partisan politics to influence the justice system, particularly given Martin’s past actions and associations.
Source: https://www.reuters.com/world/us/washington-dcs-top-prosecutor-announces-election-fraud-probe-though-authority-2025-03-17