President Trump has withdrawn his nominee for U.S. attorney in Washington, D.C., after facing Republican resistance and looming procedural deadlines. Ed Martin, a Trump ally who defended Jan. 6 defendants, will be replaced with a new nominee in the coming days.
Key Facts:
- President Trump nominated Ed Martin as U.S. attorney for the District of Columbia earlier this year.
- Martin, a former defense attorney for Jan. 6 defendants, has served as interim U.S. attorney since January.
- Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC) opposed the nomination, withholding support on the Senate Judiciary Committee.
- Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) accused Martin of providing false statements to the committee.
- Trump announced he would name a new nominee before the May 20 confirmation deadline.
The Rest of The Story:
President Trump’s decision to withdraw Ed Martin’s nomination comes as pressure mounts to secure a Senate-confirmed U.S. attorney for the District of Columbia.
If the Senate fails to confirm a nominee by May 20, the federal court—led by Chief Judge James Boasberg—would gain authority to appoint an interim prosecutor.
Martin has been acting in the role since January and is credited by Trump with overseeing a 25% drop in D.C. crime.
Still, resistance from both Democrats and Republicans—particularly from Sen. Thom Tillis—made Senate approval increasingly unlikely.
Trump acknowledged the uphill battle and indicated a replacement nominee would be announced soon.
Ed Martin is a very good man and close friend of mine.
We have some Republicans in the Senate who refused to vote for him.
These Republicans are not willing to fight like Democrats, who confirmed countless radical nominees for Joe Biden.
The country club wing of the Republican… pic.twitter.com/h8Hf6OszjY
— 🇺🇸 Mike Davis 🇺🇸 (@mrddmia) May 8, 2025
Commentary:
President Trump made the right call in pulling the nomination.
With Senator Tillis openly refusing to support Martin, confirmation was a dead end.
There’s little value in forcing a vote just to prove a point when the outcome is already clear.
That said, this moment raises serious questions about Senator Tillis’s commitment to the America First movement.
Martin’s record of defending citizens targeted for their political beliefs should have been seen as an asset, not a liability.
Instead, Tillis chose to align himself with Senate Democrats and the D.C. establishment.
Tillis is up for reelection next year.
Republican voters should take a hard look at whether he still represents their values.
A primary challenge from a MAGA-aligned conservative would not only be welcome—it’s necessary.
Martin’s nomination was a test of loyalty within the GOP.
Unfortunately, some senators failed that test.
But the administration can still salvage this situation by nominating someone just as bold, experienced, and unafraid to take on entrenched interests.
Martin’s tenure as interim attorney showed measurable results, including a reported 25% drop in crime.
For that alone, he deserves recognition—and perhaps a prominent role in another part of the administration.
It’s clear Trump values loyalty and results.
Martin provided both.
The fact that he’s being sidelined over Senate politics is disappointing, but not surprising in today’s political climate.
This situation also exposes the broader problem: unelected federal judges could soon decide who fills this crucial post if the Senate delays again.
That’s a dangerous precedent and one Trump is rightly trying to avoid.
The Bottom Line:
President Trump withdrew Ed Martin’s nomination as D.C.’s top prosecutor after it became clear Senate approval wasn’t coming.
While unfortunate, the move avoids court intervention and opens the door for a new pick.
Trump’s next nominee must be just as willing to challenge the D.C. machine.
Senator Tillis should face political consequences for undermining the nomination.
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