Justice Department Confirms Ed Martin Leaked Grand Jury Materials

URGENT UPDATE: The Justice Department has confirmed that Ed Martin, a key ally of former President Donald Trump, improperly leaked grand jury materials during investigations into Trump’s political adversaries. This revelation has significant implications for ongoing political dynamics as Martin faces increasing scrutiny.

Sources familiar with the matter disclosed that Martin’s handling of sensitive materials was a major factor in his removal from the DOJ’s headquarters earlier this year. The review, led by Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, investigated whether Martin illegally shared grand jury evidence related to inquiries into Democratic Senator Adam Schiff and New York Attorney General Letitia James.

The Justice Department found that Martin did, in fact, disclose secret grand jury information in the Schiff case. Initially, he denied any wrongdoing when questioned by department leaders, but emails later surfaced confirming the leaks. This misconduct finding has further pushed Martin to the margins within the department, according to multiple sources.

As of January 1, 2026, Martin was removed as the head of the DOJ’s Weaponization Working Group and reassigned to a location across town that houses the pardon attorney—his only remaining role. Despite the controversy, a spokesperson close to Martin stated, “President Trump ordered Ed Martin to fight weaponization wherever it’s found,” emphasizing Martin’s extensive casework under the Deputy Attorney General’s direction.

Although he has not been charged with a crime, the Justice Department has yet to determine if any laws were violated during Martin’s tenure. In a statement, Deputy Attorney General Blanche noted, “there are no misconduct investigations into Ed Martin. Ed is doing a great job as Pardon Attorney,” but did not clarify whether a review of Martin’s handling of grand jury material ever took place.

Martin has been a prominent figure in Trump’s campaign to investigate political opponents, including the now-dismissed prosecutions of former FBI Director James Comey and AG James. A judge dismissed those prosecutions in November 2023, citing that the prosecutor was unlawfully appointed.

In January 2025, Trump appointed Martin as interim U.S. attorney for Washington, D.C., where he immediately began enforcing Trump’s agenda, including the demotion of senior prosecutors involved in January 6 cases. However, he faced barriers in securing Senate support for his nomination, which Trump withdrew in May 2025.

The investigation into Martin’s conduct gained public attention in December 2023, after a witness linked to the case, Christine Bish from California, appeared at a courthouse in Greenbelt, Maryland, to provide testimony. Bish reported being questioned about two individuals alleged to be impersonating federal agents while working with Martin and Federal Housing Finance Agency Director Bill Pulte.

In response to ongoing discussions about the investigation, Attorney General Pam Bondi attempted to clarify the situation on social media, stating, “There is no investigation into Bill Pulte,” but provided no further details.

Despite Martin’s departure from the Weaponization Working Group, sources indicate that the group has intensified its scrutiny of actions taken under the Biden administration, which Bondi has labeled as “politicized justice.” Upcoming findings from this review are expected to be released soon.

As developments unfold, Martin’s future within the Justice Department remains uncertain, with expectations that he may exit the department entirely in the coming weeks. The implications of his actions and the ongoing investigations into political targeting are set to resonate throughout the political landscape.

Stay tuned for further updates on this developing story.