Pardon Attorney Ed Martin denied claims of friction between him and Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche on Monday.
Martin recently departed his role as head of the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) Weaponization Working Group, prompting suggestions that Blanche pushed him out of the position.
“All this chatter about Todd Blanche and me is FakeNews,” Martin wrote on X. “I’m proud to work for @realDonaldTrump – with Pam and Todd – for a historic year of Trump Mercy! 2025 Trump Pardons gave victims of weaponization life. Let’s talk more about what the President’s done – and what he’ll do in this 250th year.”
Martin shared a photo of himself on Thursday smiling with Blanche in front of the DOJ seal. Martin was seen at outside the White House on Friday, though the reason was unclear.
Blanche agreed with Martin’s post on Monday morning.
“Truth,” he wrote. “See you at work, Ed. Let’s go!”
Good morning, America.
How are ya’? pic.twitter.com/aQvy5cj6mH— Ed Martin (@EdMartinDOJ) February 5, 2026
The White House directed the Daily Caller News Foundation to Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt’s comments at a November briefing.
“When it comes to pardons, the White House takes them with the utmost seriousness and the President understands the responsibility that he has as President to issue pardons to individuals who are seeking that,” Leavitt said. “That’s why we have a very thorough review process here that moves with the Department of Justice and the White House Counsel’s office. There’s a whole team of qualified lawyers who look at every single pardon request that ultimately make their way up to the President of the United States. He’s the ultimate, final decision maker. And he was very clear when he came into office…”
Martin did not respond to requests for comment from the DCNF.
President Donald Trump named Martin both pardon attorney and head of the Weaponization Working Group in May 2025 after his nomination to be U.S. attorney for the District of Columbia failed to gain enough support in the Senate.
In August, Martin was also named special attorney to investigate mortgage fraud allegations against Democratic New York Attorney General Letitia James and Democratic California Sen. Adam Schiff. James’ indictment was dismissed after a judge found Lindsey Halligan, the prosecutor who secured it, was unconstitutionally appointed, though the DOJ is appealing the decision.
James’ lawyer slammed Martin for sharing photos of himself in his trench coat outside a New York property that was part of the investigation. (RELATED: ‘Doesn’t Mean We Can Just Create Evidence’: Blanche Explains Why Epstein Materials Don’t Automatically Lead To Charges)
The Weaponization Working Group’s original priorities include examining former special counsel Jack Smith’s Trump cases, potential cooperation between the federal government and local prosecutors who targeted Trump and “improper investigative tactics” in Jan. 6 prosecutions, a memo Attorney General Pam Bondi issued in February outlined. The memo stated the group would also look into Biden DOJ guidance on parents protesting at school board meetings, the targeting of whistleblowers and prosecutions of pro-life activists under the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act.
All content created by the Daily Caller News Foundation, an independent and nonpartisan newswire service, is available without charge to any legitimate news publisher that can provide a large audience. All republished articles must include our logo, our reporter’s byline and their DCNF affiliation. For any questions about our guidelines or partnering with us, please contact [email protected].