D.C. Bar Lawyer Withdraws From Ethics Investigation of U.S. Pardon Attorney
A senior disciplinary official stepped away from an ethics case involving U.S. Pardon Attorney Ed Martin after social media posts resurfaced. The withdrawal follows a Justice Department lawsuit against the D.C. Bar.
Washington ExaminerA senior Washington, D.C., Bar disciplinary official withdrew from an ethics investigation against U.S. Pardon Attorney Ed Martin after a series of social media posts resurfaced online. Jack Metzler, a senior assistant disciplinary lawyer with the D.C. Office of Disciplinary Counsel, stepped away from the Martin investigation over the weekend, according to a court filing.
The withdrawal came after screenshots of posts on X and Bluesky showed Metzler commenting on Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito, Justice Clarence Thomas, conservative activist Leonard Leo, FBI Director Kash Patel, and President Donald Trump.
The inquiry concerns letters Martin sent while serving as acting U.S. Attorney for Washington, D.C., warning Georgetown University about potential federal law violations tied to diversity, equity, and inclusion practices. The Justice Department filed a lawsuit against the D.C. Bar last week, alleging the disciplinary process was being used against executive branch lawyers associated with the Trump administration.
Disciplinary counsel Hamilton Fox III will now oversee the Martin case. The same lawsuit also addresses disciplinary proceedings against former DOJ official Jeffrey Clark, who faces separate charges related to post-2020 election matters. Associate Deputy Attorney General Stanley Woodward said after the lawsuit was filed that the D.C. Bar will no longer be permitted to probe sensitive executive branch deliberations.
Key Facts
Story Timeline
3 events- March
Ed Martin was informed he was under disciplinary scrutiny over letters sent to Georgetown University.
1 sourceWashington Examiner - Last week
The Justice Department filed a lawsuit against the D.C. Bar over disciplinary proceedings.
1 sourceWashington Examiner - Weekend before May 19, 2026
Jack Metzler withdrew from the Ed Martin ethics investigation.
1 sourceWashington Examiner
Potential Impact
- 01
Hamilton Fox III will now oversee the Martin disciplinary investigation.
- 02
The D.C. Bar may face continued legal challenges from the Justice Department.
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