WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Justice Department removed Ed Martin from his role as head of its "weaponization" working group following a private breakfast at which he predicted millions of dollars in payouts to defendants charged in the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol. The breakfast took place at Peacock Alley at the Waldorf Astoria near the White House, where Martin dined with Republican operative Norm Coleman.

According to two people with direct knowledge, Martin and Coleman discussed the upcoming 2026 midterm elections, D.C. federal grand juries and former special counsel Jack Smith. Martin predicted the Justice Department would provide millions of dollars to those charged and later pardoned in connection with the Capitol riot, and estimated the payouts would total around $40 million, the two people said.

Coleman wrote in an email response that the people must have taken part of his conversation with Martin totally out of context, and said he had no interest in discussing snippets of their breakfast conversation. A Justice Department spokesperson said Martin did not make those remarks.

The Justice Department announced a $1.776 billion fund using taxpayer dollars to provide payouts for those "who suffered weaponization and lawfare" at the hands of the government. The fund was created as part of a settlement with President Donald Trump, who sued the executive branch that he oversees, and was established as part of the agreement to drop the claims.

After the fund was announced, Martin praised the decision in an online post. "To the survivors of political weaponization: The lesson of the last few days is to never stop fighting. Never stand down, never disarm, and follow the lead of President Trump who never stops fighting," he wrote.

In a May 2025 interview, Martin had been asked whether he favored reparations for Jan. 6 rioters. Using an expletive for emphasis, he replied: "You're damn right I want to pay J6ers. If you got wronged by the government, then you should be made right. That's America."

Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, testifying before the Senate Appropriations Committee, said anyone may apply to receive a payout from the fund. "So whether you're Hunter Biden, or whether you're another individual who believed they were a victim of weaponization, they can all apply," Blanche said. "Does it mean they're going to get money? No. It just means they are allowed to apply."

He said decisions on recipients and amounts will be made by a five-member commission, with four members chosen by him and one chosen by him in consultation with Congress. Trump can remove anyone he chooses from the commission. Justice Department officials did not say whether Martin would be on the commission.