Donald Trump announced Friday that a longtime ally of his in the Justice Department is leaving to “fight legal battles” in the upcoming midterms.
Ed Martin, 56, served as interim United States Attorney for the District of Columbia from January until May 2025, when his lack of qualifications prevented confirmation by the Senate. Trump then named him pardon attorney and head of the controversial Weaponization Working Group, though CNN reported this past February that his role was blunted by then-Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche.
“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,” Trump, 80, wrote on Truth Social, despite the fact that Martin was only an interim U.S. attorney. “Ed is now leaving to go outside to fight Legal Battles for the upcoming Midterm Election, and the Presidential Election of 2028. I know he will do an outstanding job, ensure Free, Fair, and Honest Elections, and strongly advance our Constitutional Rights. Good luck Ed!”
Martin, who has supported Trump since 2016, responded on X: “Proud to serve. Fight Fight Fight.”
A lawyer for Jan. 6 defendants and a 2020 election denier who made over 150 appearances on Russian state media between 2016 and 2024, Martin drew controversy during his tenure. For instance, he allegedly pressured Georgetown Law School to change its curriculum, citing complaints about diversity, ethics, and inclusion (DEI) being taught. As a result, Martin faced an ethics complaint.
“Acting in his official capacity and speaking on behalf of the government, he used coercion to punish or suppress a disfavored viewpoint, the teaching and promotion of DEI,” D.C. Bar disciplinary counsel Hamilton Fox III wrote in a March court filing. “He demanded that Georgetown Law relinquish its free speech and religious rights in order to obtain a benefit, employment opportunities for its students.”
Fox added: “Mr. Martin knew or should have known that, as a government official, his conduct violated the First and Fifth Amendments to the Constitution of the United States.”
Martin also improperly handled grand jury materials concerning investigations into Trump’s perceived political enemies, a Justice Department review found in February, CNN reported. Martin allegedly shared materials about a mortgage fraud probe of Democratic Sen. Adam Schiff with an unauthorized person. Martin initially denied doing so, but a probe by Blanche’s office uncovered emails to the contrary.
Additionally, while awaiting a Senate confirmation that would never come, Martin had to apologize for calling a Nazi sympathizer “extraordinary.”
Martin’s departure is the latest in a series of Trump administration exits. This month alone, White House congressional liaison James Braid and White House Deputy National Security Adviser Andy Baker have left. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, 28, White House Counsel David Warrington, 58, and Deputy Press Secretary Abigail Jackson have either left already or are working their last few days.
Prior exits include former Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and her top aide, Corey Lewandowski, as well as DHS spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin. Also on the list are ex-Attorney General Pam Bondi, former Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer, Tulsi Gabbard, who quit as National Intelligence director, and Joe Kent, who resigned as head of the National Counterterrorism Center over the Iran war.
