Updated on: February 2, 2026 / 4:08 PM EST / CBS News
Ed Martin has been removed as head of Attorney General Pam Bondi’s Weaponization Working Group, multiple sources told CBS News.
A close ally of President Trump, Martin was tapped to lead the working group after he failed to win Senate confirmation as U.S. attorney for the District of Columbia amid concerns over his political advocacy and support for the Jan. 6, 2021, rioters. He was also named a pardon attorney advising Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche and was later deputized as a special assistant U.S. attorney to assist with mortgage-fraud investigations involving public officials.
A Justice Department spokesperson said Martin remains on staff as pardon attorney. CNN first reported his removal as weaponization czar.
Sources told CBS News Martin was involved behind the scenes in mortgage-related probes into Sen. Adam Schiff, New York Attorney General Letitia James and Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook; his exact role is unclear. Those matters were initially referred to DOJ by William Pulte, director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency and a Trump ally.
CBS News could not immediately determine why Martin was removed from the working group. One source said Martin was informed in December and the change took effect in early January. Martin did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Several sources said Martin clashed with officials in Blanche’s office over his productivity on the working group and controversial social media posts. In late 2025, DOJ began scrutinizing Martin and Pulte’s roles in the Schiff probe after prosecutors issued a grand jury subpoena to a key witness, California real estate agent and politician Christine Bash. The subpoena sought her communications with Martin, Pulte and anyone acting at their behest, including Robert Bowes and Scott Strauss, a copy of which was reviewed by CBS News.
Bondi denied on X in mid-December that Pulte was under investigation, calling reports “Fake news.” Bowes previously served in the first Trump administration at HUD and held roles at Chase Manhattan Bank and Fannie Mae. One source said prosecutors were trying to determine whether Pulte and Martin improperly deputized Bowes and Strauss to assist in the Schiff matter. CBS News could not determine the investigation’s status; Schiff has denied wrongdoing and has not been charged.
Martin’s brief stint as interim U.S. attorney in Washington drew controversy. Career prosecutors blocked him from opening a criminal inquiry into Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer over comments Schumer made in 2020. Martin also faced scrutiny for threatening letters to Trump’s political opponents, omissions on Senate paperwork about paid appearances on Russian state media, and prior praise for a Nazi sympathizer prosecuted for storming the Capitol.
Shortly before leading the Weaponization Working Group, Martin disclosed to U.S. Attorney’s Office lawyers that he was the subject of a professional ethics probe by the D.C. Office of Disciplinary Counsel; the status of that inquiry is unclear.
The Weaponization Working Group was tasked with reviewing cases from the Biden administration, including Jan. 6 prosecutions, FACE Act cases involving obstruction at abortion clinics, and alleged retaliation against whistleblowers. Sources say the group has produced little despite a requirement to report to the White House.
Jennifer Jacobs contributed to this report.