Ed Martin is walking away from the Trump administration to wage election integrity wars from the outside.
The longtime Trump loyalist confirmed his departure on Friday, setting his sights on legal battles ahead of the 2026 midterms and the 2028 presidential contest. Trump himself broke the news on Truth Social, showering Martin with praise for his work across multiple Justice Department positions, as reported here.
Trump called Martin someone who has been by his side "from the very beginning" and lauded his contributions as an attorney, the head of the Weaponization Working Group, and the U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia. The president expressed full confidence that Martin would deliver "Free, Fair, and Honest Elections" while protecting constitutional rights.
But here is where it gets juicy. Martin actually served as the acting top federal prosecutor in Washington from January through May 2025. Trump wanted to make that gig permanent, but Senator Thom Tillis, a Republican from North Carolina, threw a wrench into the whole plan. Tillis opposed the nomination so forcefully that it effectively killed any chance of Senate confirmation. Trump eventually moved on and picked Jeanine Pirro for the role instead. Martin then shifted over to become the U.S. pardon attorney.
So rather than sticking around in a consolation role, Martin is heading for the exits to do what he apparently loves most, fighting legal wars over elections.
And Martin is not the only one packing boxes. Just one day earlier, Trump revealed that James Braid, his legislative affairs director at the White House, would also be stepping down. Braid is expected to stick around until September, though nobody has announced where he is headed next.
Braid's resume inside Trump world is absolutely stacked. At just 35 years old, he served as the president's primary connection to Capitol Hill. He helped muscle Trump's massive tax and spending legislation through Congress while also navigating brutal Cabinet confirmation fights and foreign policy clashes. He managed all of this with Republicans holding the thinnest possible majorities in both the House and Senate.
Before landing at the White House, Braid worked as a senior policy aide to JD Vance when Vance was still a senator. He also held top positions with the House Freedom Caucus and served alongside several Republican lawmakers, including former Representatives Matt Rosendale, Ken Buck, Mark Sanford, and Ted Budd, who now sits in the Senate.
Braid earned the distinction of becoming the longest serving legislative affairs director of Trump's entire presidency. Both Vice President Vance and House Speaker Mike Johnson publicly credited him with delivering key legislative wins for the administration.
Two major departures in two days. The Trump team is clearly reshuffling as the midterm clock starts ticking louder and louder.
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