Michigan District Court Nominee Fails to Address Concerns About His Record

WASHINGTON, D.C., June 10, 2026 – Today the Senate Judiciary Committee held a hearing for the nomination of Michael Martin to the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan. In conversations with the senators from Michigan, Martin was purportedly committed to addressing his record of Trump loyalism and giving satisfactory answers to common-sense questions about our democracy. However, he not only failed to dispel concerns about his record, but he also followed a familiar script to qualify evasive answers about whether President Biden won the 2020 election. Martin’s nomination only reached the hearing stage following the Democratic senators’ decision to advance his nomination despite demonstrated concerns about his record.

There is disturbing evidence that Martin has used his leadership role to support partisan and political actions from DOJ and U.S. attorney leadership. Allegations included his involvement in the firings of prosecutors who enforced the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act, which protects those who access and provide abortions, and that he volunteered to assist in political prosecutions related Trump’s immigration agenda in Minnesota after attorneys in the Minnesota office resigned in protest.

Alliance for Justice President Rachel Rossi issued the following statement:

“Michael Martin’s nomination should never have made it to the confirmation hearing stage because the Michigan senators had a unique opportunity to diligently investigate his record before allowing his nomination to advance. There are serious allegations that Martin has participated in the weaponization of the Justice Department to target those steadfastly committed to justice. After careful review of his record and speaking with several Michigan leaders, AFJ opposed his nomination.

“Senators must remain vigilant to block loyalist judicial nominees who seek to quietly sneak through the confirmation process. Martin only revised the script used by nominees before him, providing updated but similar canned answers on democracy. He has also failed to address significant concerns about his willingness to advance this administration’s harmful weaponization of the Justice Department.”