Another prominent figure in President Donald Trump’s administration is heading for the exits as Republicans prepare for a consequential midterm election battle.
The departure comes with a new assignment, however, not a firing, which could place the longtime Trump ally in the middle of some of the country’s biggest political and legal fights.
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Pardon Attorney Ed Martin is leaving the Trump administration to work outside the federal government on election integrity litigation ahead of the 2026 midterms and the 2028 presidential election.
Trump announced Martin’s departure Friday and praised his longtime ally for his work across several positions at the Justice Department.
“Ed Martin has been with me from the very beginning, and done an incredible job as an Attorney, Director of the Weaponization Working Group, and the United States Attorney for the District of Columbia,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
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Trump said Martin will now move outside the administration specifically to fight legal battles surrounding the upcoming elections.
“Ed is now leaving to go outside to fight Legal Battles for the upcoming Midterm Election, and the Presidential Election of 2028,” Trump said.
The president said he expects Martin to work to ensure what Trump described as “Free, Fair, and Honest Elections” while defending constitutional rights.
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“I know he will do an outstanding job, ensure Free, Fair, and Honest Elections, and strongly advance our Constitutional Rights,” Trump said.
Martin’s departure ends a tenure that saw him occupy several prominent Justice Department roles after Trump returned to the White House.
Martin served as acting U.S. attorney for the District of Columbia from January until May 2025 and later became the U.S. pardon attorney.
Trump attempted to make Martin the permanent U.S. attorney for Washington, but Republican North Carolina Sen. Thom Tillis opposed his nomination.
That opposition effectively ended Martin’s prospects for Senate confirmation, and Trump subsequently selected Jeanine Pirro for the position.
Martin nevertheless remained an important figure inside the administration, including through his leadership of the Justice Department’s Weaponization Working Group.
His next role will allow him to operate outside the restrictions of government as Republicans prepare for election-related litigation surrounding November’s midterm contests.
Trump’s announcement also makes Martin the latest notable administration official preparing to depart.
The president announced just one day earlier that White House legislative affairs director James Braid will leave the administration as well.
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Braid is expected to remain at the White House until September, although his next position has not yet been announced.
The 35-year-old served as Trump’s principal liaison to Congress and was responsible for helping advance the president’s agenda despite narrow Republican majorities on Capitol Hill.
Braid played an important role in guiding Trump’s major tax and spending legislation through Congress while also working on Cabinet confirmations and contentious foreign policy battles.
Before entering the White House, Braid served as a senior policy aide to then-Sen. JD Vance.
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His previous experience also included positions with the House Freedom Caucus and several Republican lawmakers, including former Reps. Matt Rosendale, Ken Buck and Mark Sanford.
Braid additionally worked for former Rep. Ted Budd, who now represents North Carolina in the Senate.
Vice President Vance and House Speaker Mike Johnson were among the Republican leaders who credited Braid with helping secure significant legislative victories for the Trump administration.
Martin’s situation is notably different because Trump has already publicly identified the political mission awaiting him outside government.
Rather than stepping away from Trump’s political operation entirely, Martin is moving directly into the legal battle surrounding election integrity.
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Proud to serve.
Fight Fight Fight. https://t.co/9Nc0PTuf6c— Eagle Ed Martin (@EagleEdMartin) August 21, 2026
Great to be with President Donald J. Trump in his awesome office this afternoon.
Thank you, sir. pic.twitter.com/6w4olvqfjZ— Eagle Ed Martin (@EagleEdMartin) August 21, 2026
That means his departure could ultimately make him more visible as Republicans prepare for the 2026 midterms and, beyond them, the presidential election in 2028.
This article may contain commentary which reflects the author’s opinion.
