Trump Wishes Controversial DOJ Attorney Farewell, Says He’s Going to ‘Fight Legal Battles’ In Midterms

(AP Photo/Amanda Andrade-Rhoades, File)

Controversial attorney Ed Martin is leaving the Department of Justice for the private sector in anticipation of the midterm elections, according to a new social media post from President Donald Trump.

Trump wrote on Truth Social Friday, “Ed Martin has been with me from the very beginning, and done an incredible job as an Attorney, Director of the Weaponization Working Group, and the United States Attorney for the District of Columbia.”

“Ed is now leaving to go outside to fight Legal Battles for the upcoming Midterm Election, and the Presidential Election of 2028,” Trump wrote. “I know he will do an outstanding job, ensure Free, Fair, and Honest Elections, and strongly advance our Constitutional Rights. Good luck Ed! President DONALD J. TRUMP”

Martin has been serving as the U.S. Pardon Attorney at the DOJ, overseeing Jan. 6 case dismissals and targeting the president’s perceived enemies like former FBI Director James Comey and New York Attorney General Letitia James. Martin was a key figure in the “Stop the Steal” movement in Trump’s first term, pushing claims the 2020 election was stolen and later working to help Jan. 6th rioters facing prosecution.

Martin was Trump’s initial pick to serve as U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia, but the nomination was withdrawn following a lack of support from the Republican-led Senate. Former Fox News host Jeannine Pirro was confirmed in Martin’s stead.

In February, Martin was removed as head of the Weaponization Working Group after reportedly clashing with then-Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche and failing to make “much progress” against Jack Smith and others who prosecuted Trump.

Martin was charged in March with ethics violations for sending an allegedly threatening letter in 2025 to Georgetown Law School’s dean when he served as interim U.S. Attorney.

D.C. Disciplinary Counsel Hamilton Fox accused Martin of professional misconduct after saying the DOJ “wouldn’t hire the private school’s students if it didn’t eliminate diversity, equity and inclusion programs.”

After Martin learned of the accusations against him, “he sent a letter addressed to D.C. Court of Appeals judges in which he complained about Fox’s ‘uneven behavior’ and requested a ‘face-to-face meeting with all of you to discuss this matter and find a way forward,'” the Associated Press reported.

Martin did not respond to the AP’s request for comment.

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