Ed Martin, the head of the Justice Department’s Weaponization Working Group who also served as the US pardon attorney, is leaving the department, capping a chaotic tenure marked by a string of controversies.
“Ed Martin has been with me from the very beginning, and done an incredible job as an Attorney, Director of the Weaponization Working Group, and the United States Attorney for the District of Columbia,” President Trump wrote on Truth Social. “Ed is now leaving to go outside to fight Legal Battles for the upcoming Midterm Election, and the Presidential Election of 2028.”
“Proud to serve. Fight Fight Fight,” Martin wrote on X in response.
The Controversies
Martin failed to gain the support of Sen. Thom Tillis because he represented numerous clients who stormed the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. While serving as acting US attorney, Martin moved to dismiss some cases of clients — sparking calls for an ethics inquiry into the apparent conflict of interest.
“By not recusing himself from this matter, Mr. Martin created an impermissible conflict of interest and appearance of impropriety by using his new government office to favor his client, whom he was defending from the very charges he sought to dismiss,” wrote Sen. Dick Durbin, the top Democrat on the Senate Judiciary Committee.
Notable Actions
In just a few months in the acting role, Martin:
– Sent letters to two sitting Democratic lawmakers, including Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, informing them they were under investigation for past comments he alleged were threatening
– Sent a letter to Georgetown University saying he would not hire any interns or attorneys from the school if they did not end its diversity, equity, and inclusion policies, later escalating that threat by saying failure to respond would “bear directly” on its nonprofit status
The Pardon Controversy
After his nomination collapsed, Martin was moved to his dual role at the DOJ. Under Martin, Trump pardoned a number of people who donated to his campaign or affiliated entities.
In a Friday report titled “Pardon Inc.,” Rep. Jamie Raskin accused Trump of effectively selling pardons. The report states:
– Convicted investor fraudster Trevor Milton and his wife donated more than $1.8 million to committees supporting Trump before receiving a full pardon
– Tax fraudster Paul Walczak received a pardon 12 days after his mother attended a $1 million-per-plate Trump fundraiser
– Binance founder Changpeng Zhao hired a longtime friend of Donald Trump Jr. to lobby for clemency before Trump pardoned him
“Mr. Martin has since described his philosophy as ‘No MAGA left behind’ and has used his office to privilege clemency applications from the Oath Keepers, the Proud Boys, and the two men convicted of plotting to kidnap Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer,” the panel wrote.
The Schiff Investigation
Martin was also scrutinized for a third role at the DOJ as a special attorney for mortgage fraud. A federal grand jury in Maryland launched a probe into its own investigation into mortgage fraud allegations against Rep. Adam Schiff. Prosecutors were evaluating whether Martin may have wrongly deputized two figures outside the DOJ to aid in the investigation.
The Bottom Line
Ed Martin, head of the DOJ’s Weaponization Working Group and US pardon attorney, is leaving the department after a controversial tenure. Martin faced scrutiny over conflicts of interest related to Jan. 6 clients, threats to Democratic lawmakers, and allegations of selling pardons to Trump donors. His exit comes as Attorney General Todd Blanche thanked him for his service.
