A Trump-appointed DOJ official launched an investigation into a Sandy Hook first responder who successfully sued Alex Jones, only to hastily withdraw it after public outcry exposed the blatant weaponization of federal power.
Story Highlights
- DOJ attorney Ed Martin targeted retired FBI agent William Aldenberg who won $90 million from Alex Jones in defamation suit
- Martin’s inquiry suggested investigating whether Aldenberg improperly benefited from his Sandy Hook lawsuit victory
- The DOJ investigation was withdrawn within 24 hours after media exposure and public backlash
- Aldenberg was a first responder to the 2012 Sandy Hook massacre and suffered years of harassment from Jones’s conspiracy theories
Trump DOJ Targets Sandy Hook Hero
Ed Martin, a Department of Justice pardon attorney with known Trump loyalties, sent an official letter to retired FBI Special Agent William Aldenberg’s attorney on September 15, 2025. The letter requested detailed information about Aldenberg’s financial benefits, testimony, and communications regarding his successful defamation lawsuit against conspiracy theorist Alex Jones. Martin’s inquiry specifically focused on Aldenberg’s relationship with PR firm Berlin Rosen and whether he received improper compensation for his role in the landmark case.
Aldenberg served as a first responder during the devastating Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting on December 14, 2012, where 26 people died, including 20 children. For over a decade, Jones spread false claims through his InfoWars platform that the massacre was a staged “hoax,” leading to relentless harassment of victims’ families and first responders like Aldenberg.
Million-Dollar Victory Against InfoWars Lies
In 2022, Aldenberg and Sandy Hook families achieved a historic legal victory, securing a $1.4 billion defamation judgment against Jones. Aldenberg personally received approximately $90 million from the verdict, representing accountability for years of targeted harassment and death threats he endured after Jones’s followers believed the conspiracy theories. The case established a powerful precedent for holding media personalities responsible for spreading dangerous misinformation that directly harms innocent Americans.
Christopher Mattei, the attorney representing Aldenberg and Sandy Hook families, immediately condemned Martin’s DOJ inquiry as “disgusting” and “pathetic.” Mattei characterized the investigation as political harassment designed to intimidate victims who had already suffered tremendous trauma from both the original tragedy and Jones’s subsequent conspiracy campaigns.
Rapid Retreat After Public Exposure
Martin’s investigation collapsed within 24 hours after media outlets exposed the politically motivated targeting. On September 16, 2025, the DOJ issued a hasty withdrawal letter stating “There is no investigation of you or your client.” The lightning-fast reversal demonstrated the administration’s sensitivity to public scrutiny and raised serious questions about whether federal agencies are being weaponized to protect Trump allies like Jones while persecuting those who oppose them.
This episode reveals a disturbing pattern of government overreach that threatens constitutional principles and individual liberty. When federal agencies target American heroes who courageously stood up against conspiracy theorists, it undermines justice and emboldens those who profit from spreading dangerous lies. The swift reversal only occurred because media attention forced accountability, highlighting the critical importance of transparency in preventing abuse of federal power.
Watch the report:Justice Department Retreats: Controversial Inquiry Targeting Sandy Hook Hero Agent Withdrawn Amid Ou
Sources:
Trump DOJ loyalist appears to go after FBI agent who sued Alex Jones – The Independent
Ed Martin DOJ Threat Sandy Hook FBI Agent Alex Jones – Democracy Docket