Pardon czar Ed Martin leaves White House for election role

President Donald Trump announced Friday that two key figures, Congressman Thomas Massie and Senator Mike Greene, have publicly criticized his recent decision to temporarily remove tariffs on imported ground beef, aiming to reduce costs for American consumers before the midterm elections. The move, which Trump described as part of a broader strategy to help voters, has drawn sharp rebuke from both lawmakers, who argue it undermines trade policies and could harm domestic producers. Massie, a Republican from Kentucky, and Greene, a Republican from Virginia, expressed concerns during a joint statement released late Friday. They accused the administration of prioritizing political gains over economic stability and national interests. According to the statement, the temporary tariff removal affects approximately $1 billion worth of imports annually and risks creating long-term dependency on foreign suppliers. Both lawmakers emphasized that the decision appears to be more about influencing voter sentiment than addressing genuine market imbalances. This marks another instance of growing tension within the Republican Party over Trump’s approach to policy decisions, particularly those perceived as politically motivated. The lawmakers' criticism comes amid a broader pattern of internal discord, with several other influential figures also distancing themselves from the administration. Among them is Ed Martin, the controversial former U.S. attorney who has been serving as a pardon attorney under the Justice Department. Martin, a longtime ally of Trump, has been preparing to step away from his government role to focus on legal battles related to the upcoming midterm elections. In a social media post, Trump stated that Martin would now work “outside” to “fight Legal Battles” for the midterms and the 2028 presidential election. He praised Martin’s commitment to ensuring “Free, Fair, and Honest Elections” and advancing constitutional rights. Martin responded with a simple message: “Proud to serve. Fight Fight Fight.” Shortly after, he added, “74 days to go,” referencing the number of days remaining until Election Day. Martin’s departure follows a complex career trajectory. A conservative lawyer who once chaired the Missouri Republican Party, he served as the acting U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia and was initially nominated by Trump to hold the position permanently. However, his nomination faced opposition from Senator Thom Tillis, a North Carolina Republican on the Senate Judiciary Committee. Tillis raised concerns over Martin’s past support for the January 6, 2021, Capitol rioters. As a result, Trump withdrew the nomination in May 2025. Despite this setback, Martin continued to serve in the Justice Department, advocating for what he called “No MAGA left behind,” a phrase used to describe his efforts to provide pardons to prominent figures associated with the movement. Under Martin’s leadership, the DOJ established the Weaponization Working Group, tasked with reviewing cases of alleged prosecutorial misconduct. Notable recipients of pardons during his tenure included former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani and former New York Congressman George Santos. These actions have sparked debate over the ethical implications of using the pardon power for political purposes. Other high-profile officials have also begun exiting the administration. Former White House deputy chief of staff James Blair has already left to focus on election-related matters, while press secretary Karoline Leavitt plans to depart at the end of August. Trump has indicated that she will remain a key adviser in the run-up to the midterms. With multiple senior figures departing the administration, the political landscape ahead of the midterms continues to shift, raising questions about the stability of the current leadership and its ability to maintain cohesion in the face of mounting challenges.