In a dramatic farewell press conference held Tuesday, outgoing acting U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia, Ed Martin, revealed that the Trump administration plans to investigate a series of controversial pardons issued by President Joe Biden during his final hours in office.
“I do think that the Biden pardons need some scrutiny,” Martin said, according to The Hill. “And they need scrutiny because we want pardons to matter and to be accepted and to be something that’s used correctly. So I do think we’re going to take a hard look.”
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While Martin declined to answer questions about whether the inquiry might extend to members of Congress who investigated the January 6th Capitol riot, his comments sparked significant speculation, CBS News reported.
Martin, a polarizing figure within the Department of Justice, was initially nominated by President Donald Trump to serve as the district’s top federal prosecutor. However, his nomination was withdrawn last week following resistance from Sen. Thom Tillis (R-NC), who cited Martin’s public defense of January 6 defendants as disqualifying.
On Wednesday, Trump will formally nominate former Westchester County District Attorney and television personality Jeanine Pirro to replace Martin. Still, Trump made it clear that Martin would remain a key player in his administration.
“Ed Martin has done an AMAZING job as interim U.S. Attorney, and will be moving to the Department of Justice as the new Director of the Weaponization Working Group, Associate Deputy Attorney General, and Pardon Attorney,” Trump announced on Truth Social.
“In these highly important roles, Ed will make sure we finally investigate the Weaponization of our Government under the Biden Regime, and provide much-needed Justice for its victims.” Martin previously previewed his concerns during a May 9 appearance on The Vince Show, a conservative talk radio program based in Fort Worth, Texas.
“We’ve never seen pardons of the scope,” Martin told host Vince Coglianese. “And it looks, at least, like something that could be corrupt.” He referenced the infamous 2001 pardon of fugitive financier Marc Rich by President Bill Clinton. “That’s not criminal,” Martin noted. “Because of the plenary power of the pardon.”
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Indeed, the U.S. Constitution gives presidents broad clemency powers, stating they “shall have Power to grant Reprieves and Pardons for Offenses against the United States, except in Cases of Impeachment.” Courts have repeatedly held that this authority is virtually unreviewable.
Among those pardoned by Biden on January 19 were five family members, Dr. Anthony Fauci, retired General Mark Milley, and members of the congressional panel investigating the Capitol attack—none of whom had been charged with or investigated for crimes. Martin concluded, “They were broad, but they had time stuff on them that was very interesting… And that at least leads to questions.”
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