Trump's pardon attorney Ed Martin exits DOJ to fight election legal battles

President Donald Trump announced on August 21, 2026, that Ed Martin, the U.S. pardon attorney, is leaving the Department of Justice to focus on legal battles for the upcoming midterm and 2028 presidential elections. Martin, a conservative activist and Trump loyalist, previously served as interim U.S. attorney for the District of Columbia from January to May 2025, where he oversaw firings of Jan. 6 prosecutors. His nomination for the permanent role was withdrawn after opposition from Senator Thom Tillis. Martin then became pardon attorney and led the DOJ's Weaponization Working Group until February 2026. He faced an ethics complaint in January 2026 over alleged threats to Georgetown University. Trump praised Martin's service, and Martin responded with 'Proud to serve. Fight Fight Fight.'