Ed Martin, who heads the Justice Department’s Weaponization Working Group, has written to New York Attorney General Leticia James, suggesting she resign “in good faith” just days after she opened an investigation into allegations of mortgage fraud against her. Martin has publicly stated that stepping down would benefit the people of New York and the nation.
In his letter, dated August 12, Martin argued that her resignation could bring peace to the current situation, adding that he genuinely views this as a sincere request.
Subsequently, Martin was spotted outside James’ Brooklyn residence wearing a trench coat, flanked by an aide and a journalist from the New York Post. Although he didn’t engage directly with James or enter the property, he was overheard commenting to a neighbor about the house being “interesting” and “important.”
James’ attorney, Abbe Lowell, countered Martin’s demands on Monday, claiming that such a request goes against established Department of Justice norms and ethics. He emphasized that using investigations as political tools is unacceptable and specifically criticized Martin’s visit to James’ home, calling it a “media stunt” that doesn’t align with DOJ guidelines.
Lowell also mentioned that Martin appeared to be on a peculiar visit, jokingly referring to it as a “tourist attraction.” He shared a photo taken during Martin’s visit and highlighted footage from a security camera showing Martin in the trench coat.
James’ office has chosen not to comment on this incident. Martin’s letter marks a continuation of the ongoing tensions between Trump and James, who has previously filed numerous lawsuits against Trump, winning a significant ruling last year regarding false asset valuations. An appeals court is currently reviewing Trump’s appeal over that ruling.
Recently, the Associated Press reported that the Justice Department has sought documents from James in connection to her fraud case, as well as a suit against the National Rifle Association.
Martin’s inquiry seems rooted in a letter from Federal Housing and Finance Director William Plute that requested a closer look at James for alleged discrepancies in bank and real estate documents. It suggested that she misrepresented her Virginia home to avoid higher interest rates usually associated with second homes.
According to public records, James was listed as a co-borrower in 2023. However, Lowell contended that the records clearly refute Plute’s claims. He explained that while James might have made an error, she clarified in communications that it was not her primary residence.
Plute also accused James of misrepresenting the number of apartments owned in her Brooklyn townhouse. However, official city records indicate that the building contains four units, consistent with the numbers presented in James’ application documents.
On August 8, Martin was appointed to probe these allegations, with a history as a Republican operative and a current role as a US pardon attorney. He is also looking into mortgage fraud accusations against Senator D-Calif. Adam Schiff, which Schiff’s legal team has dismissed as unfounded.
Lowell criticized this working group, labeling it “weaponized” to serve the interests of the president and the attorney general.
