Interim U.S. Attorney Ed Martin’s Investigations and Actions

Jordan Lassiter
Independent Investigative Journalist
Transparency Report
Email: Jordan@Lassiter.eu
Date: January 27, 2025

To Whom It May Concern:

Pursuant to the United States Freedom of Information Act, 5 U.S.C. § 552, I hereby request the following records:

Subject: Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Request – Records Related to Interim U.S. Attorney Ed Martin’s Investigations and Actions

Recipient:
U.S. Department of Justice
FOIA Office
950 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, D.C. 20530-0001

Requested Records

I request access to and copies of the following records related to Interim U.S. Attorney Ed Martin’s investigations, decisions, and communications, with a particular focus on political bias or influence, for the period November 5, 2024, to the present:
1. Communications, Cable Files, and Metadata:
• All emails, text messages, memos, cable files, and reports sent or received by Ed Martin during this timeframe.
• Metadata (e.g., sender, recipient, timestamps, subject lines) for all communications involving Ed Martin that discuss:
• The dismissal of Justice Department prosecutors involved in cases against former President Donald Trump.
• The review of January 6 felony obstruction charges or Supreme Court rulings affecting these cases.
• Any encrypted communications (e.g., Signal, WhatsApp, or other secure messaging platforms) involving Ed Martin regarding investigations, case reviews, or coordination with other federal agencies.
2. Phone Logs, Call Transcripts, and Wire Communications:
• Records of all phone calls made or received by Ed Martin during this timeframe, including:
• Call metadata (e.g., timestamps, durations, recipients).
• Summaries, notes, or transcripts of discussions related to the dismissal of prosecutors, case reviews, or January 6-related actions.
• Records of secure or encrypted phone communications.
3. Interagency Communications and Coordination:
• Copies of all communications (emails, memos, reports, phone calls, and cables) between Ed Martin and other federal, state, or local agencies, including:
• FBI, Capitol Police, Department of Defense, Department of Homeland Security, and White House communications.
• Discussions on prosecutorial decisions, security concerns, or political implications of high-profile cases.
4. Incident Reports, Briefings, and Cable Transmissions:
• Incident reports, operational briefings, or real-time updates prepared or reviewed by Ed Martin during the requested timeframe, specifically regarding:
• Decisions related to prosecutorial dismissals or case reviews.
• Updates about January 6 defendants or actions taken in response to court rulings.
5. Assessments of Political Bias and Decision-Making:
• Internal documents, assessments, or evaluations discussing:
• Potential political bias or impartiality concerns in Ed Martin’s actions.
• Discussions about public perception of the Department of Justice’s integrity or independence under Ed Martin’s leadership.
6. After-Action Reports and Evaluations:
• Copies of after-action reports or evaluations prepared by or for Ed Martin analyzing outcomes of his decisions on high-profile cases, including:
• Assessments of actions taken, security vulnerabilities, and lessons learned.
• Recommendations for future actions or procedural changes.
7. Deleted or Missing Records:
• Documentation regarding any deleted or missing records (e.g., text messages, emails, call logs, or wire communications) related to Ed Martin’s actions or investigations.
• Details on efforts to recover missing records or justifications for their deletion.
8. Other Relevant Records:
• Cable files, secure communications, handwritten notes, and other records documenting decisions or discussions involving Ed Martin.

Legal Basis for Request
• Transparency and Accountability: As established in NLRB v. Robbins Tire & Rubber Co., 437 U.S. 214 (1978), public access to records related to government actions is essential to ensure accountability and transparency.
• Metadata and Communications: As reinforced in Judicial Watch, Inc. v. U.S. Dep’t of Def., 857 F. Supp. 2d 44 (D.D.C. 2012), metadata is an integral part of electronic records and must be disclosed.
• Public Interest: FOIA’s principles, reaffirmed in Milner v. Department of Navy, 562 U.S. 562 (2011), prioritize transparency when no explicit exemptions apply.

Relevance to Public Interest

This request addresses significant public interest in the impartiality and transparency of government actions, particularly concerning Ed Martin’s decisions as Interim U.S. Attorney. Given the political and historical context of these cases, the requested records are crucial for understanding the integrity of federal investigations and ensuring public trust in the Department of Justice’s actions.

Fee Waiver Request

I request a waiver of all fees associated with this request under 5 U.S.C. § 552(a)(4)(A)(iii). Disclosure of the requested information serves the public interest by significantly enhancing the public’s understanding of the Department of Justice’s operations and decision-making processes during critical and high-profile cases.

Legal Basis: As upheld in Cause of Action v. FTC, 799 F.3d 1108 (D.C. Cir. 2015), FOIA fee waivers should be granted for requests that contribute to public knowledge of government activities.

If the fee waiver is denied, I agree to pay up to $200 for processing fees and request prior notification if costs exceed this amount.

Expedited Processing Request

I request expedited processing under 5 U.S.C. § 552(a)(6)(E), as this request pertains to matters of significant public interest involving potential political influence on federal investigations. These records are critical for ongoing reporting and public understanding of governmental actions and their potential implications for justice and accountability.

Response Format and Timeline

Please provide the requested records in electronic format where possible. As stipulated by FOIA, I look forward to your response within 20 business days. If any part of this request is unclear, I am available at Jordan@Lassiter.eu for clarification or to discuss the scope of this request.

Thank you for your attention to this matter.

Sincerely,
Jordan Lassiter
Independent Investigative Journalist
Transparency Report