Ed Martin has been removed as head of Attorney General Pam Bondi’s Weaponization Working Group, multiple sources told CBS News. A Justice Department spokesperson said Martin remains on staff as a pardon attorney; CNN first reported his removal from the working group.
A longtime Trump ally, Martin was appointed to lead the review team after failing to secure Senate confirmation as U.S. attorney for the District of Columbia amid questions about his partisan advocacy and past praise for Jan. 6 rioters. He has also served as a pardon attorney advising Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche and was later deputized as a special assistant U.S. attorney to assist on mortgage-fraud probes involving public officials.
Sources told CBS News that Martin played a behind-the-scenes role in mortgage-related inquiries tied to Sen. Adam Schiff, New York Attorney General Letitia James and Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook, though his exact responsibilities in those matters remain unclear. Those referrals were reportedly routed to DOJ by William Pulte, director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency and a Trump ally.
Lawyers inside DOJ began scrutinizing Martin’s and Pulte’s involvement after prosecutors issued a grand jury subpoena seeking communications from California real estate agent and politician Christine Bash with Martin, Pulte and others, including Robert Bowes and Scott Strauss. A copy of that subpoena was reviewed by CBS News. Prosecutors were reportedly probing whether Pulte and Martin improperly deputized Bowes and Strauss to assist in the Schiff matter. CBS News could not determine the current status of that investigation; Schiff has denied any wrongdoing and has not been charged.
One source said Martin was told of the change in December and that the reassignment took effect in early January. CBS News could not immediately determine the reason for his removal, and Martin did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Multiple officials described clashes between Martin and personnel in Blanche’s office over his productivity on the working group and controversial posts on social media. Martin’s brief tenure as interim U.S. attorney in Washington was contentious: career prosecutors blocked him from opening a criminal inquiry into Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer related to comments Schumer made in 2020. He also drew criticism for threatening letters sent to political opponents, omissions on Senate disclosure forms about paid appearances on Russian state media, and prior praise for an individual described as a Nazi sympathizer who was prosecuted for storming the Capitol.
Shortly before taking the lead of 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 created to review a range of cases from the Biden administration, including Jan. 6 prosecutions, FACE Act matters involving alleged obstruction at abortion clinics, and claims of retaliation against whistleblowers. According to sources, the group has produced little tangible output despite an obligation to report its findings to the White House.
Pam Bondi pushed back on some reporting in mid-December, denying on X that Pulte was under investigation and calling such reports “Fake news.” Bowes has prior experience in the first Trump administration at HUD and positions at Chase Manhattan Bank and Fannie Mae.
Jennifer Jacobs contributed to this report.
