(TNND) — Department of Justice lawyer and pardon attorney, Ed Martin, is expected to leave his role after nine months following failure to secure a confirmation as US attorney in Washington, DC, CNN reports.
Martin is known for his controversial efforts in investigating and prosecuting President Donald Trump’s political foes, earning him the designation of “Trump’s favorite US attorney,” sources say.
However, now, the “weaponization” chief has been sidelined as the result of recent moves made by Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche.
President Trump appointed Ed Martin as Pardon Attorney and Ed continues to a great job in that role,” a Justice Department spokesperson told CNN.
The “weaponization” chief of the department became a vocal defender of the president following the 2021 US Capitol attack. Martin stood by Trump’s voter fraud claims in the 2020 elections and the January 6 rioters – some of whom he represented as attorney.
The Republican from Missouri was appointed by Trump to serve as the interim US attorney for Washington, DC shortly after taking office in January 2025.
Martin ultimately failed to receive enough support from the Senate for the role and Trump pulled his nomination for the position in May 2025. The president then placed Martin as the director of the Working Weaponization Group and pardon attorney.
Sources told CNN that Martin was largely overshadowed by Blanche – one of Trump’s personal lawyers – who limited Martin’s abilities within the department.
While leading the Department’s Weaponization Working Group, Martin was “layered” by Blanche and was not really in charge of that effort, CNN reports.
The fact is that Ed was given all opportunity to lead this group and deliver on its mission, but he did nothing,” a source familiar with the matter told CNN. “Others across the Department have since been making great progress and doing the work that should have been happening under Ed’s leadership.
Sources say Martin appears to have more power in his role as pardon attorney where he is actively involved in reviewing clemency applications. However, the final decisions on pardons are made by the White House.
JOIN THE CONVERSATION (2)
It is unclear where Martin will be going after leaving the Justice Department.
