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The Department of Justice (DOJ) has removed its pardon lawyer from an internal “weaponisation working group”, though officials say the politically sensitive panel is now meeting more frequently, Fox News has learnt.
Ed Martin currently serves as the DOJ’s Pardon Counsel, a role appointed by President Donald Trump that involves reviewing pardon applications and advising the White House on pardons and commutations. He also participated in the department’s internal weaponisation working group.
On Monday, a DOJ spokesperson confirmed to Fox News that they had removed Martin from the working group, but they did not immediately provide a reason.
A DOJ spokesperson said, “President Trump appointed Ed Martin to be the Pardon attorney, and Ed is doing a fantastic job in that role.”
The judge is currently considering the challenge by NY AG Letitia James regarding the US attorney’s authority to investigate her cases.
Ed Martin speaks during a press conference in Washington, DC, on May 13, 2025
(Craig Hudson for The Washington Post via Getty Images)
Trump nominated Martin,
a former defence attorney who represented Americans charged in the riot at the US Capitol on January 6, 2021, to serve as US attorney for the District of Columbia in February last year.
But after lawmakers’ concerns 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, sends subpoena targeting NY AG Letitia James
The Justice Department has confirmed it has removed its pardon lawyer from the Internal Weapons Working Group as the panel extends meetings, Fox News has learnt. (Ting Shen/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Martin was appointed to serve as U.S. pardon attorney on May 14, 2025, and at that time he was nominated by Trump to serve as director of the Justice Department’s Weapons of Justice Working Group, a role he held until his removal was announced on 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 investigate claims that federal law enforcement and prosecutorial powers were abused for political or partisan purposes.
DOJ launches grand jury investigation into Letitia James in Trump civil case
NY Attorney General Letitia James speaks during a press conference on the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) at the Manhattan Federal Courthouse on February 14, 2025, in New York City. (Michael M. Santiago)
Investigations into Martin’s actions involving New York Attorney General Letitia James have previously occurred. In August, an attorney representing James criticised Martin for visiting his Brooklyn residence and publicly suggesting he resign, calling the visit a “stunt designed for the media”.
Martin later stated that he visited the property to “monitor it” and posted photos of the visit on social media.
He was later granted special prosecutorial authority to pursue a mortgage fraud investigation involving James and Senator Adam Schiff, D-Calif., both of whom have denied wrongdoing and have described the investigation as politically motivated.
Martin also urged James to step down in a letter, which he described as “confidential” but later shared publicly on Twitter.
