Ex-Pardon Czar Defends Trump, Laments Lost Administration Momentum

Former U.S. pardon attorney Ed Martin has dismissed allegations of a cash-for-clemency racket within President Trump's orbit, comparing the accusations to the "Russia hoax." Martin, who stepped down last month, criticized a recent "60 Minutes" report that highlighted the rise of so-called "pardon brokers" who allegedly leverage their connections to Trump for substantial fees.

"To me, this is like the Russia hoax," Martin stated on the "Pod Force One" podcast. He expressed skepticism about the report's findings, particularly those presented by correspondent Leslie Stahl. The "60 Minutes" segment featured hidden camera footage of individuals identified as "pardon brokers" Jack Burkman and Jacob Wohl claiming they could "put pressure on the president from all directions in a consistent way, to force his hand."

Martin characterized Burkman and Wohl as "clowns" and "snake oil salesmen," suggesting they misled clients about their actual ability to secure clemency. During his 15-month tenure as pardon attorney, Martin reviewed over 1,000 clemency requests, evaluating whether a pardon or commutation was warranted.

He argued that President Trump deserves credit for changing the approach to commutations and pardons, contrasting it with the practices of previous administrations. "Most of the presidents, Bill Clinton, [George] W. [Bush], [Barack] Obama, even [Joe] Biden, did their pardons in the dark of night on their way out the door," Martin said.

Martin also voiced regret that the Trump administration did not pursue its agenda to reform the federal bureaucracy more aggressively. He recalled the initial months of the administration as "glorious," marked by high energy and a "fearlessness" to implement changes. "And after three months, everybody's tired, and you sort of settle into a rhythm, and it changes," he observed.

Reflecting on the since-defunct Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), Martin suggested that the agency could have been more audacious in its efforts to streamline government operations. "In retrospect, I think you have to use that first period of time to cut even deeper," he stated. "That's the window where there's real possibilities."

He also commented on the work of former special counsel Jack Smith and officials in the Biden administration, describing Smith's approach as that of a "nasty planner" preparing for a "show trial" focused on Donald Trump.

Martin offered sharp criticism of President Joe Biden, calling him "despicable" and "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 of American history." He added, "Did real evil, allowed real evil, and just a fraudulent guy."