A liberal activist who boasted about spitting on a Trump-appointed DOJ official now faces federal charges after foolishly confessing to the assault on social media.
At a Glance
- Emily Gabriella Sommer, 32, has been charged with assaulting a government official after spitting on Edward Martin during an outdoor interview
- Sommer incriminated herself by bragging about the assault on Martin’s own X account using the handle @EmilyGabriellaS and display name “Lefttits”
- During the confrontation, Sommer confirmed Martin’s identity before spitting on him and shouting, “You are a disgusting man”
- Martin, the U.S. pardon attorney and associate deputy attorney general, responded to the incident with humor
- Federal authorities arrested Sommer on Thursday after tracking her through her social media posts
Liberal Activist’s Assault Captured on Camera
The Department of Justice has filed formal charges against Emily Gabriella Sommer, a 32-year-old Washington, D.C. resident, for allegedly spitting on Edward Martin, a Trump-appointed DOJ official. The incident occurred during an outdoor interview near the U.S. District Court for D.C., where Martin was speaking to reporters. According to court documents, Sommer approached Martin, confirmed his identity, and then proceeded to spit on his shoulder before verbally berating him and fleeing the scene.
The confrontation began when Sommer aggressively approached Martin demanding to know who he was. After confirming his identity, she escalated the situation dramatically. According to DOJ documents, Sommer lunged at Martin and spat on him before walking away while shouting obscenities. In a bizarre twist, she even announced her full name during the incident, essentially identifying herself to authorities.
🚨FAFO: The woman who spit on US Attorney Ed Martin has been ARRESTED.
Emily Gabriella Sommer has been arrested on a federal assault charge. She also bragged about it on social media.
She faces charges of assault and resisting or impeding a government official. pic.twitter.com/HhP7aSvz1m
— Derrick Evans (@DerrickEvans4WV) May 22, 2025
Social Media Boasting Leads to Arrest
In what can only be described as a spectacular lack of judgment, Sommer didn’t stop at the physical assault. She later took to social media to brag about her actions, posting directly on Martin’s X account. Law enforcement quickly identified an account with the username @EmilyGabriellaS and display name “Lefttits” as belonging to Sommer. Her posts, including one stating, “ED, that was me that spit in your face today in front of USDC for D.C. Courthouse,” provided authorities with clear evidence of her culpability.
“During the interview, the suspect, later identified as Sommer, approached Martin and stated words to the effect of, ‘Who in the f*** are you?’ Martin turned to face Sommer. Sommer then said, ‘Are you Ed Martin? You are. Ed Martin.’ Sommer lunged at Martin and spit on his shoulder. Sommer then walked eastbound on D Street Northwest and yelled, ‘You are a disgusting man. F*** you, Ed Martin. My name is Emily Gabriella Sommer, and you are served,'” according to the DOJ.
Federal authorities arrested Sommer on Thursday, charging her with assaulting, resisting, or impeding a government official. While spitting is generally considered a form of assault, prosecutions are relatively rare unless there are aggravating circumstances. In this case, the victim’s position as a government official elevated the seriousness of the offense, prompting federal charges rather than local ones.
This will be fun to watch.
Go Judge Jeannine! https://t.co/4ccosO5idT
— Ladylawyer (@Ladylaw31256058) May 22, 2025
Target’s Response Shows Restraint
Martin, who currently serves as the U.S. pardon attorney and associate deputy attorney general at the Department of Justice, responded to the incident with unexpected humor rather than outrage. Rather than pursuing personal retribution, he allowed the legal system to address the assault. Martin had recently stepped down from consideration as U.S. Attorney for D.C. due to his involvement with the January 6, 2021, events, which complicated his Senate confirmation prospects.
“Among the many reasons that I wear that great coat,” Martin quipped in response to the incident, suggesting he took the assault in stride.
The incident highlights the increasingly concerning trend of political confrontations turning physical in America’s polarized climate. Sommer’s brazen assault and subsequent social media boasting demonstrate not only a willingness to engage in physical attacks against political opponents but also a stunning misunderstanding of the legal consequences such actions carry. If convicted, Sommer could face significant penalties for her impulsive act of political hatred turned criminal assault.
