DOJ removes Ed Martin from Trump admin's Weaponization Working Group amid increased activity
The Justice Department (DOJ) has removed its pardon attorney from an internal "Weaponization Working Group," even as officials say the politically sensitive panel is now meeting more frequently, Fox News has learned.
Ed Martin currently serves as the DOJ’s pardon attorney, a role appointed by President Donald Trump that involves reviewing clemency applications and advising the White House on pardons and commutations. He had also participated in the department’s internal Weaponization Working Group.
A DOJ spokesperson confirmed to Fox News on Monday that Martin had been removed from the working group, though it was not immediately clear why.
"President Trump appointed Ed Martin as Pardon Attorney and Ed continues to do a great job in that role," a DOJ spokesperson said.
Trump nominated Martin, a former defense attorney who represented Americans charged in the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol, to serve as U.S. attorney for the District of Columbia in February of last year.
But after concerns from lawmakers stalled Martin’s confirmation, Trump withdrew the nomination.
Trump instead nominated Jeanine Pirro for the role, and she was ultimately confirmed.
FEDERAL JUDGE DISQUALIFIES US ATTORNEY, TOSSES SUBPOENAS TARGETING NY AG LETITIA JAMES
Martin was appointed to serve as U.S. pardon attorney on May 14, 2025, and was named by Trump at the time to serve as director of the Justice Department’s Weaponization Working Group, a role he held until his removal was announced Monday.
The working group was formed in early 2025 and is now meeting more frequently, with the goal of eventually meeting daily. It is an internal review body created to examine claims that federal law enforcement and prosecutorial powers were misused for political or partisan purposes.
DOJ OPENS GRAND JURY INVESTIGATION INTO LETITIA JAMES TIED TO TRUMP CIVIL CASE
Martin has previously drawn scrutiny over his actions involving New York Attorney General Letitia James. In August, a lawyer representing James criticized Martin for visiting her Brooklyn residence and publicly suggesting she resign, calling the visit a "made-for-media stunt."
Martin later said he visited the property to "lay eyes on it" and shared images of the visit on social media.
He was subsequently granted special prosecutorial authority to pursue mortgage fraud investigations involving James and Sen. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., both of whom have denied wrongdoing and described the probes as politically motivated.
Martin also urged James to step down in a letter he described as "confidential" but later shared publicly on X.