Peters, Slotkin Statement on Nomination of Michael Martin to the Eastern District of Michigan

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Senators Gary Peters and Elissa Slotkin released the following statements after returning their blue slips for Michael Martin, a nominee for the Eastern District of Michigan. The nominee was chosen as part of Michigan's longstanding judicial nominations process, with the bipartisan Judicial Nominations Advisory Committee carefully vetting, interviewing, and providing feedback on applicants for this vacancy. “After years working as both a federal prosecutor and criminal attorney helping to defend our national security, Michael Martin has the experience and integrity necessary to serve on the federal bench,” said Senator Peters . “During the entire nomination process and throughout our in-depth conversations, Mr. Martin has made it clear that he will exercise independent, forward thinking judgment. I believe he has the temperament and character necessary to impartially serve Michiganders and the American people.” “I take this responsibility very seriously,” said Senator Slotkin. “I met with Mr. Martin, a 20-year career prosecutor who has worked through both Democratic and Republican Administrations and asked him direct questions that speak directly to whether he will uphold our democratic process, regardless of external pressure. From making clear Joe Biden won the 2020 election, to the attack on the Capitol on January 6th, to being clear that President Trump can’t run for a third term, these answers were important factors for me, and fundamentally different from President Trump’s judicial nominees to date. I look forward to Mr. Martin conveying the same during his confirmation hearing, and to his service on the federal bench if confirmed.” Background on Martin: Mr. Martin has served as a career federal prosecutor for over two decades, including in roles as Criminal Chief, Chief of the National Security Unit, Deputy Criminal Chief, and Executive Assistant US Attorney. He has led the prosecution of a wide range of complex cases, including terrorism, espionage, export control violations, and violent crime. Before joining the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Martin served as a trial attorney in the Counterespionage Section of the Department of Justice’s National Security Division. Earlier in his career, he clerked for the Honorable Hugh H. Bownes of the US Court of Appeals for the First Circuit and the Honorable Edward F. Harrington of the US District Court for the District of Massachusetts, and was an analyst with the Central Intelligence Agency. ###