Former Pardon Attorney Launched Media Tour
Ed Martin has begun a campaign to defend the administration’s clemency process ahead of the midterm elections.
Updated on Sept. 18, 2026 in Criminal Justice
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Former pardon attorney Ed Martin has initiated a media tour to defend the executive clemency process following his departure from government. Martin plans to visit 10 states to rally conservative voters before the upcoming November midterm elections.
Why it matters
The tour aims to challenge public narratives surrounding the pardon process while supporting a push to restore gun rights to non-violent felons. Martin’s exit from his role followed his removal by Attorney General Todd Blanche.
The Department of Justice processes nearly 20,000 pardon petitions, with roughly 2,000 names vetted and forwarded to the White House each quarter. Investigations previously highlighted allegations that fixers Jack Burkman and Jacob Wohl marketed pardon access for up to $600,000.
The players
Ed Martin
He is a former pardon attorney and interim U.S. attorney for the District of Columbia who is now campaigning for the midterm elections.
Donald Trump
He is the current President of the United States who oversaw the clemency process involving Duke Tanner.
Todd Blanche
He is the Attorney General who removed Ed Martin from his role leading the anti-weaponization initiative.
Jack Burkman
He is a political operative who allegedly marketed access to presidential pardons for significant fees.
Jacob Wohl
He is a political operative who allegedly worked with Jack Burkman to market access to presidential pardons.
The details
Martin, who previously served as the interim U.S. attorney for the District of Columbia, held an hour-long exit interview with Donald Trump to discuss his transition. He now intends to leverage his background to support specific policy goals, including the restoration of firearm rights for non-violent offenders.
Timeline
Ed Martin began his professional relationship with Donald Trump in 2016.
Martin held his exit interview with the President on September 8, 2026.
The midterm elections are scheduled to take place on November 3, 2026.
Legal Context
This media tour follows high-profile scrutiny regarding the executive clemency process, notably exemplified by the pardon of Duke Tanner. The campaign highlights the ongoing political tension surrounding executive authority and the standardization of federal pardon procedures.
The ongoing discussions regarding the pardon process may lead to increased public scrutiny of federal transparency and administrative vetting. Residents should anticipate heightened political activity as Martin visits key states including New York, New Jersey, Iowa, and New Hampshire.
The takeaway
Martin’s transition from a federal attorney to a political surrogate reflects broader efforts to align executive branch personnel with specific electoral and policy goals. Voters should monitor whether these campaign efforts result in shifting platforms regarding the restoration of rights for felons.
What happens next
The midterm elections are scheduled to occur on November 3, 2026, which serves as the final deadline for Ed Martin’s current voter-rallying campaign.
Further reading
For more on the current legal landscape, see the Criminal Justice section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Internewscast Journal.
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