A woman who publicly admitted to spitting on former US Attorney Ed Martin during a live television broadcast now faces up to eight years in federal prison after being charged with assaulting a government official.
Key Takeaways
- Emily Gabriella Sommer was arrested and charged with assaulting a government official after spitting on former Interim DC US Attorney Ed Martin during a live Newsmax broadcast on May 8, 2025.
- Sommer faces up to eight years in prison for the federal assault charge, which was expedited after she publicly admitted to the act on social media under the username “Lefttits.”
- During her court appearance, Sommer caused multiple disruptions requiring deputies to physically remove her from the courtroom before she eventually apologized for her behavior.
- Despite his nomination being withdrawn by President Trump amid bipartisan opposition, Martin now leads the DOJ’s Weaponization Working Group investigating perceived agency misconduct.
- The incident occurred as Martin was discussing the withdrawal of his nomination, which faced opposition due to his past defense of January 6 protesters and controversial management decisions.
The Assault and Immediate Aftermath
On May 8, 2025, as Ed Martin was being interviewed on Newsmax about President Trump’s withdrawal of his nomination for permanent US Attorney for Washington DC, Emily Gabriella Sommer approached him on camera. Court documents reveal that Sommer confronted Martin aggressively, asking, “Who in the f— are you?” before confirming his identity by stating, “Are you Ed Martin? You are Ed Martin.” Sommer then proceeded to spit on Martin before declaring, “You are a disgusting man. F— you, Ed Martin. My name is Emily Gabriella Sommer, and you are served,” and leaving the scene.
Law enforcement identified Sommer through her social media account with the username @EmilyGabriellaS and display name “Leftist,” where she had openly boasted about the incident. This public admission accelerated her arrest on May 22, 2025, with the U.S. Marshals Service conducting the investigation. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jacob Green, who filed charges of assaulting, resisting, or impeding a government official, which carries potential prison time of up to eight years.
Courtroom Chaos and Legal Proceedings
Sommer’s legal troubles intensified during her initial court appearance, where she demonstrated the same contempt for authority that led to the spitting incident. According to multiple reports, Sommer caused significant disruptions in the courtroom, requiring deputies to physically carry her out. This behavior initially complicated her case, though she later apologized to the federal magistrate judge, who subsequently ordered her release from custody pending trial.
“You are a disgusting man. F— you, Ed Martin. My name is Emily Gabriella Sommer, and you are served,” said Emily Gabriella Sommer, defendant in federal assault case
While spitting is generally considered assault in most jurisdictions, federal prosecutions for such incidents are relatively rare unless there are aggravating circumstances. In this case, the victim’s status as a current government official leading a DOJ investigation appears to have elevated the seriousness of the charges. Legal experts note that assaulting government officials carries enhanced penalties specifically designed to protect those performing official duties from intimidation or harm.
https://twitter.com/DerrickEvans4WV/status/1925588061565399302
Martin’s Role in the Trump Administration
Ed Martin’s position in the DOJ has been a subject of controversy that likely contributed to Sommer’s hostility. After President Trump initially nominated Martin as US Attorney for Washington DC, the nomination faced bipartisan opposition in the Senate due to Martin’s previous defense of January 6 protesters and appearances on Russian state media. Despite withdrawing the nomination, President Trump appointed Martin as director of the Weaponization Working Group at the DOJ, tasked with investigating perceived misconduct within federal agencies.
After Martin’s nomination was withdrawn, President Trump appointed Judge Jeanine Pirro to replace him as interim US Attorney for Washington DC. Martin continues to serve in the administration in his role leading the DOJ’s internal investigations. The assault on Martin highlights the increasing hostility faced by Trump administration officials from left-wing activists who resort to physical confrontation rather than civil discourse.
As the legal process unfolds, this case stands as a stark reminder that political disagreements, no matter how passionate, cannot justify physical assaults on government officials. While Sommer faces up to eight years in federal prison if convicted, the Justice Department has emphasized that, as with all defendants, she is presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.
