Ed Martin out as leader of DOJ’s ‘weaponization’ group, sources say

Trump loyalist Ed Martin is no longer in his role as leader of the DOJ’s “weaponization” effort investigating prosecutors who launched investigations into President Donald Trump and his allies, two people familiar with the discussions told NBC News.

When asked if Martin still held that position, a Justice Department spokesperson told NBC News that Martin continued to serve in a separate role, that of a pardon attorney.

“President Trump appointed Ed Martin to serve as pardon attorney and Ed continues to do an excellent job in this role,” the spokesperson said.

Martin was appointed head of the “Armaments Working Group” last spring. He was serving as acting U.S. attorney for the District of Columbia, but the longtime right-wing activist faced opposition from a key Republican member of the Senate Judiciary Committee.

Instead, Trump appointed Martin as a pardon attorney and director of the task force established by Attorney General Pam Bondi in response to one of Trump’s executive orders. Former Fox News host Jeanine Pirro has finally been named U.S. Attorney for DC.

The task force seeks to review work including that of former special counsel Jack Smith; any federal cooperation with Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, who prosecuted Trump’s hush money case; the Justice Department’s handling of cases related to the January 6 Capitol attack; and criminal prosecutions of anti-abortion activists, among other issues.

An advocate for those arrested following the riot at the Capitol on January 6, 2021, Martin previously said he planned to “name” and “shame” individuals the department could not formally charge with crimes, a major departure from long-standing Justice Department policy.

Justice Department protocols state that officials generally should not confirm or comment on the existence of ongoing investigations. Martin said it was important to get “the truth” out when asked if his plan would go against those protocols.

It is not clear who currently leads the group. Martin did not respond to a request for comment.