{"id":2562714,"date":"2026-02-02T20:10:00","date_gmt":"2026-02-03T01:10:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/ed-martin-to-remain-doj-pardon-attorney-after-reported-demotion\/"},"modified":"2026-02-02T20:13:16","modified_gmt":"2026-02-03T01:13:16","slug":"ed-martin-to-remain-doj-pardon-attorney-after-reported-demotion","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/ed-martin-to-remain-doj-pardon-attorney-after-reported-demotion\/","title":{"rendered":"Ed Martin to remain DOJ pardon attorney after reported demotion"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">20<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fed-martin-to-remain-doj-pardon-attorney-after-reported-demotion%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2562714&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>Ed Martin,Trump\u2019s DOJ pardon attorney,is expected to remain in that role for now despite reports that he was demoted from leading the department\u2019s Weaponization Working Group. The group,formally established on Feb. 5 last year by Attorney General Pam Bondi, was created to review whether federal investigations and enforcement actions under Merrick Garland\u2019s tenure were politically motivated and to report quarterly to the White House. It examined a range of matters,including actions related to high-profile Trump investigations,federal coordination with New York prosecutions,the FBI\u2019s internal memo linking customary Catholic groups to extremism,Jan. 6 prosecutions, and the enforcement of federal protest laws. martin\u2019s leadership of the group had placed him closer to DOJ leadership than his pardon-attorney post,and he had advocated accountability in investigations involving Trump. The Washington Examiner report notes his rise within the department, while CNN cited a demotion and said he is expected to leave the DOJ, though a DOJ spokesperson said he has been focused on the pardon-attorney role and did not respond to requests for comment. The piece explains the group was part of broader efforts to restore the integrity and credibility of the DOJ.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">Ed Martin to remain DOJ pardon attorney after reported demotion<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_2492420\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/ed-martin\/page\/3\/\">Ed Martin<\/a>, the Trump administration&rsquo;s pardon attorney at the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/department-of-justice\/\">Justice Department<\/a>, will remain in that role for now despite no longer serving as the chief of the department&rsquo;s Weaponization Working Group.<\/p>\n<p>Since President&nbsp;<a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/donald-trump\/\">Donald Trump<\/a>&lsquo;s return to the Oval Office last year, Martin has been leading the administration&rsquo;s effort to restore balance to the DOJ following years of accusations by Trump allies that the institution had become weaponized under the Biden administration. CNN&nbsp;<a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/2026\/02\/02\/politics\/ed-martin-to-leave-justice-department\">first reported<\/a>&nbsp;Monday that Martin was demoted, though a DOJ spokesperson confirmed that Martin has for weeks been focused solely on his pardon attorney role.<\/p>\n<div class=\"recommended-stories\">\n<h2>Recommended Stories<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/entertainment\/4443279\/trump-raises-nationalized-voting-idea-bongino-return-podcast\/\">Trump raises &lsquo;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/trump-raises-nationalized-voting-idea-during-bonginos-podcast-return\/\" title=\"Trump raises &#039;nationalized voting&#039; idea during Bongino&#039;s podcast ...\">nationalized voting&#038;rsquo<\/a>; idea in Bongino&#8217;s return podcast debut<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/justice\/4443258\/doj-removes-thousands-epstein-files-victim-id-concerns\/\">DOJ temporarily removes thousands of Epstein files due to victim identification concerns<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/justice\/4442696\/court-halts-trump-effort-ban-unannounced-congressional-visits-ice-facilities\/\">Court halts Trump effort to <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >ban unannounced congressional visits<\/a> to ICE facilities<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>&ldquo;President Trump appointed Ed Martin as Pardon Attorney and Ed continues to do a great job in that role,&rdquo; a DOJ spokesperson told the&nbsp;<em>Washington Examiner<\/em>.<\/p>\n<p>The working group was <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.justice.gov\/ag\/media\/1388506\/dl?inline\">formally established<\/a> on Feb. 5 last year by Attorney General <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/pam-bondi\/\">Pam Bondi<\/a> as part of a broader effort to &ldquo;restore the integrity and credibility of the Department of Justice,&rdquo; according to an internal memo distributed to all DOJ employees. <\/p>\n<p>The group was tasked with reviewing whether federal law enforcement and regulatory agencies had pursued investigations or enforcement actions during former Attorney General Merrick Garland&rsquo;s tenure for political or otherwise improper purposes, rather than legitimate law enforcement objectives.<\/p>\n<p>According to the memo, the Weaponization Working Group was directed to examine a wide range of matters, including actions taken by former special counsel&nbsp;<a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/justice\/4428759\/jack-smith-testify-publicly-trump-investigations\/\">Jack Smith<\/a>, federal coordination with New York prosecutions involving Manhattan District Attorney&nbsp;<a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/3431360\/who-is-alvin-bragg-manhattan-da-running-reelection\/\">Alvin Bragg<\/a>&nbsp;and New York Attorney General&nbsp;<a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/letitia-james\/\">Letitia James<\/a>, the FBI&rsquo;s internal memo linking traditional Catholic groups to violent extremism, Jan. 6&ndash;related prosecutions, and enforcement of federal protest laws. The group was also instructed to provide quarterly progress reports to the White House.<\/p>\n<p>Martin&rsquo;s role as director of that group placed him closer to DOJ leadership than his pardon attorney post, which is housed in a satellite DOJ office building and traditionally focuses on reviewing clemency applications rather than overseeing investigative reviews.<\/p>\n<p>During his time leading the working group, Martin had advocated accountability related to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/andrew-cuomo-set-to-make-5-1m-profit-from-book-about-covid-19-leadership\/\" title=\"Andrew Cuomo set to make .1M profit from book about COVID-19 ...\">high-profile investigations<\/a> and prosecutions of Trump. The DOJ last year indicted two high-profile political rivals of the president, including James and former FBI director <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/james-comey\/\">James Comey<\/a>, though the cases were dismissed when a judge found that the prosecutor handling the cases was improperly appointed.<\/p>\n<p>Martin&rsquo;s rise inside the department has been atypical. He had no prior prosecutorial experience before being appointed interim U.S. attorney for the District of Columbia. His nomination to permanently hold that role later failed in the Senate, after which he was reassigned to his dual roles as pardon attorney and leader of the Weaponization Working Group.<\/p>\n<p><strong><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/justice\/4442529\/pam-bondi-installs-ex-white-house-legal-aide-stuart-mccommas-doj-chief-of-staff\/\">BONDI QUIETLY INSTALLS EX-WHITE HOUSE LEGAL AIDE STUART MCCOMMAS AS DOJ CHIEF OF STAFF<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>CNN reported that Martin&rsquo;s removal from the working group amounted to a demotion and cited a source who said he is expected to leave the DOJ in the coming weeks. The department declined to comment on any possible departure.<\/p>\n<p>Martin did not respond to a request for comment.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Ed Martin, Trump\u2019s DOJ Pardon Attorney, will stay in that role for now even though he is no longer leading the department\u2019s Weaponization Working Group. Since Trump\u2019s return to the White House, Martin has been pushing to restore balance at the DOJ amid critics who say the agency was weaponized under the Biden administration. CNN reported Monday that Martin was demoted, but a DOJ spokesperson said he has spent weeks focused solely on pardons. The DOJ told the Washington Examiner that Trump appointed him as Pardon Attorney and that he\u2019s doing well in that job.<\/p>\n<p>The Weaponization Working Group, created on Feb. 5 last year by Attorney General Pam Bondi, was meant to \u201crestore the integrity and credibility\u201d of the DOJ and to review whether federal investigations or enforcement actions during Merrick Garland\u2019s tenure were for political or improper purposes, rather than legitimate law enforcement aims. The memo directing the group asked it to consider a broad range of issues, including actions by former special counsel Jack Smith, coordination with New York prosecutions involving Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg and NY AG Letitia James, an FBI memo linking Catholic groups to violent extremism, Jan. 6 prosecutions, and enforcement of federal protest laws, and to report quarterly to the White House. <\/p>\n<p>Martin\u2019s role as group director placed him closer to DOJ leadership than the pardons office, which is in a separate building and traditionally handles clemency reviews. While leading the group, he advocated accountability in high-profile Trump-related investigations. Last year the DOJ charged two Trump rivals, James and former FBI director James Comey, but those cases were dismissed after a judge found the prosecutor was improperly appointed. <\/p>\n<p>Martin\u2019s career path at the department has been unusual: he had no prior prosecutorial experience before becoming interim U.S. attorney for the District of Columbia, and his bid for the permanent post failed in the Senate, after which he was reassigned to both the Pardon Attorney role and the Weaponization Working Group. CNN said his removal from the group amounted to a demotion, and a source suggested he could leave the DOJ in the coming weeks; the department declined to comment. Martin did not respond to requests for comment<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2633,"featured_media":2562715,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/ed-martin-dc-us-attorney-2023-file-photo.webp?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651,538],"tags":[25402,7076,72663,72664],"class_list":["post-2562714","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","category-washington-examiner","tag-demotion","tag-doj","tag-ed-martin-2","tag-pardon-attorney"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/ed-martin-dc-us-attorney-2023-file-photo.webp?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2562714","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2633"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2562714"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2562714\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2562718,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2562714\/revisions\/2562718"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2562715"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2562714"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2562714"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2562714"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}