Edward R. “Ed” Martin Jr.

Background & current role

Edward R. “Ed” Martin Jr. served as interim U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia and then as U.S. Pardon Attorney during President Trump’s second administration. Trump announced on August 21, 2026 that Martin was leaving the Justice Department to pursue outside legal work focused on the 2026 midterm elections and the 2028 presidential election.

Current record notes: {'id': 'ed-martin-departure-announced-2026-08-21', 'date': '2026-08-21', 'display_date': 'August 21, 2026', 'subjects': ['office-role', 'elections-voting', 'ethics-legal'], 'title': 'Trump announces Ed Martin will leave DOJ for outside election-related legal work', 'summary': 'President Trump announced that Ed Martin was leaving the Justice Department to work outside government on legal battles tied to the upcoming midterm election and the 2028 presidential election. Associated Press reported Martin had been serving as pardon attorney after earlier work as interim U.S. Attorney for D.C. and in the department’s weaponization effort. The announcement establishes the transition but did not specify a precise effective date.'} {'id': 'ed-martin-pardon-attorney-2025-05-14', 'date': '2025-05-14', 'display_date': 'May 14, 2025', 'subjects': ['office-role', 'crime-law-enforcement', 'government-executive-orders'], 'title': 'Martin appointed U.S. Pardon Attorney after interim D.C. U.S. Attorney service', 'summary': 'The Justice Department’s official staff biography records Martin’s May 14, 2025 appointment as U.S. Pardon Attorney and his prior service as interim U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia.'}

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Position & relationship

Position / relationship

U.S. Pardon Attorney; announced departure from the Justice Department on August 21, 2026

Affiliation / context

Trump Administration

Directory

Former / Recent

Profile status

Departure announced — transitioning to outside election-related legal work

Service dates

Interim U.S. Attorney for D.C.: January 20–May 14, 2025; U.S. Pardon Attorney: May 14, 2025–departure announced August 21, 2026

Documented current/future role notes

• President Trump announced that Ed Martin was leaving the Justice Department to work outside government on legal battles tied to the upcoming midterm election and the 2028 presidential election. Associated Press reported Martin had been serving as pardon attorney after earlier work as interim U.S. Attorney for D.C. and in the department’s weaponization effort. The announcement establishes the transition but did not specify a precise effective date.
• The Justice Department’s official staff biography records Martin’s May 14, 2025 appointment as U.S. Pardon Attorney and his prior service as interim U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia.

Fairness & uncertainty note

Martin’s profile separates documented appointments and legal actions from allegations or political characterizations. Departure timing is described only to the level established by the presidential announcement and independent reporting.