Ed Martin, the director of the Justice Department’s Weaponization Working Group and the U.S. Pardon Attorney, is departing his government roles. President Trump announced the move on Friday, stating that Martin would transition to private legal work focused on the upcoming midterm elections and the 2028 presidential race.
Martin’s tenure included serving as the acting U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia, though his formal nomination for the position did not advance in the Senate. During his time in office, Martin faced scrutiny regarding potential conflicts of interest related to his past legal representation of individuals involved in the January 6, 2021, Capitol protest.
In 2025, Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) requested an ethics investigation into Martin’s conduct, alleging he created an appearance of impropriety by seeking to dismiss charges against former clients. Martin also drew attention for notifying two Democratic lawmakers they were under investigation for allegedly threatening comments and for threatening the nonprofit status of Georgetown University over its diversity, equity, and inclusion policies.
For students and staff at Georgetown University, Martin’s departure follows a period of administrative tension after he threatened to withhold the hiring of interns and attorneys unless the school ended its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies. While the scale of the impact on potential hires was not specified in reported numbers, the action linked the university's internal policy decisions to its federal nonprofit status. The ongoing disciplinary investigations into these actions will determine if Martin's methods as a federal prosecutor established a lasting precedent for how the Justice Department interacts with private educational institutions and members of the legislative branch.
The next steps for the Justice Department include appointing a successor to lead the Weaponization Working Group. Outside the government, Martin is expected to begin his new role focused on election-related legal challenges immediately. The Office of Professional Responsibility has not yet reported a completion date for its investigation into Martin's alleged conflicts of interest and his conduct regarding Georgetown University. Martin confirmed his departure on social media, stating he was proud to serve.