DC Bar Official Faces Complaint Over Alleged Political Bias in Trump Pardon Attorney Investigation
A conservative watchdog group filed a disciplinary complaint against Jack Metzler, a D.C. Bar official who withdrew from an ethics investigation into Trump pardon attorney Ed Martin, citing Metzler's partisan social media posts as evidence of bias. Metzler had been involved in a disciplinary inquiry into Martin's letters to Georgetown University regarding its diversity and inclusion policies. The complaint reflects broader Trump administration efforts to challenge what they characterize as weaponization of bar disciplinary proceedings against Trump-aligned lawyers.
The Center to Advance Security in America, a conservative watchdog group, filed a complaint against D.C. Office of Disciplinary Counsel senior assistant attorney Jack Metzler, alleging that his social media posts on X and Bluesky demonstrate political bias that compromised his ability to fairly oversee a disciplinary investigation into Ed Martin, Trump's pardon attorney. Metzler withdrew from the Martin investigation in May 2025, two days after the Justice Department filed suit against the D.C. Office of Disciplinary Counsel. The original disciplinary inquiry, opened in March 2025, centered on Martin's letters to Georgetown University Law Center questioning whether its diversity, equity, and inclusion policies complied with federal law—actions Martin characterized as consistent with Trump administration policy. Screenshots of Metzler's social media posts, which included criticism of Trump, conservative Supreme Court justices, and other conservative figures, circulated online after the DOJ lawsuit was filed. The complaint represents part of a broader Trump administration push to challenge what administration allies view as politically motivated bar disciplinary proceedings against Trump-aligned attorneys.
What's missing
The article does not include a response or statement from Jack Metzler or the D.C. Office of Disciplinary Counsel addressing the allegations against him. Additionally, the specific details of the original disciplinary complaint filed by retired Judge Phillip Argento are not fully elaborated beyond the mention of First and Fifth Amendment violation allegations.
What different sources said
- Washington ExaminerRight
DC Bar official who targeted Ed Martin hit with complaint after partisan posts
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