Interim U.S. attorney for the District of Columbia Ed Martin speaks during a press conference on May 13, 2025 in Washington, DC.
Craig Hudson | The Washington Post | Getty Images
Department of Justice lawyer Ed Martin is being sidelined from his controversial efforts to investigate or prosecute political foes of President Donald Trump, multiple media outlets reported Monday.
Martin, a player in the “stop the steal” election conspiracy movement who has held multiple DOJ jobs during Trump’s second term, will now work mainly as the U.S. pardon attorney, MS NOW reported, citing three people familiar with the matter.
Martin’s role was narrowed following a protracted feud with Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, the sources told MS NOW.
The New York Times, citing sources, additionally reported that Martin is mulling whether to leave DOJ, possibly for a job in the White House. CNN reported that Martin is expected to depart in the coming weeks.
Martin did not immediately respond to CNBC’s request for comment. A DOJ spokesperson said in an emailed statement, “President Trump appointed Ed Martin as Pardon Attorney and Ed continues to [do] a great job in that role.”
Martin will no longer work at DOJ’s Washington headquarters, The Washington Post also reported Monday. A source familiar with the matter told CNBC that Martin will work out of a building in the northeast of the city known as 2CON.
Trump had nominated Martin to become the U.S. attorney for Washington, but pulled his name from consideration amid bipartisan pushback.
Martin later became the head of the DOJ’s so-called weaponization working group, where he was accused of sidestepping prosecutorial norms and wielding the department’s investigative powers aggressively against Trump’s enemies.
He will no longer serve in that role, the outlets reported.
