Ed Martin Defends Trump Amid Pardon Controversies
Former US pardon attorney Ed Martin has made comparisons between the allegations regarding cash-for-clemency tied to President Trump and the “Russia hoax.” He expressed concern that the administration has lost the momentum it had in its early days to genuinely reform government operations.
Martin, who recently stepped down as pardon attorney, was particularly critical of a recent report by “60 Minutes” that discussed the emergence of “pardon brokers.” These brokers reportedly charge hefty fees in exchange for leveraging connections within Trump’s circle to secure pardons.
“The season premiere of 60 Minutes has a story on pardons, and ‘Oh my gosh, there are people making money on pardons,’” Martin expressed in an appearance on the “Pod Force One” podcast. “To me, this is like the Russia hoax.” He also made it clear that he did not buy into the narrative being pushed by Leslie Stahl.
The broadcast featured undercover footage from the so-called “pardon brokers” Jack Burkman and Jacob Wohl, who claimed they could “put pressure on the president from all directions in a consistent way, to force his hand.” However, Martin dismissed these individuals, labeling them as “clowns” and “snake oil salesmen” who misled clients about their capabilities concerning clemency.
During his 15-month tenure, Martin noted that he met with over 1,000 people to determine if a pardon or commutation was appropriate. He suggested that Trump should be credited rather than blamed for changing how pardons and commutations are viewed. Unlike most past presidents—like Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, Barack Obama, and Joe Biden—who often issued pardons quietly, Trump took a more open approach.
In a broader conversation with The Post’s Miranda Devine, Martin reflected on the Trump administration’s opportunities, wishing it had been even bolder in its efforts to reshape the federal bureaucracy. He fondly recalled the first few months of the administration as productive and high-energy, where there was a palpable sense of urgency to make significant changes.
“I’m reminded, first of all, of our first two or three months; they were glorious,” he said. “We were just firing everybody, getting rid of cases. We were pardoning everybody. The energy was up, and the fearlessness was high.” But he observed that after a few months, things became more routine, and that initial energy soon dissipated.
Martin pointed out that he wished the now-defunct Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) had been more aggressive in its reforms. “In retrospect, I think you have to use that first period of time to cut even deeper,” he noted, acknowledging that significant changes had been made but suggesting more could have been done during that pivotal period.
He also shared his views on Jack Smith, the former special counsel, describing him as a meticulous planner. “Donald Trump was at the center of this grand thing. It would have been a show trial,” Martin remarked.
Critically, Martin claimed that even those on the left have distanced themselves from President Biden, whom he described as “despicable.” He noted concerning Biden’s health and added, “He is one of the great frauds, and I would say that would be enough to be one of the great frauds in American history, but he’s truly one of the evil frauds.” Martin suggested that Biden had both permitted and engaged in genuine wrongdoing throughout his career.
