Sen. Thom Tillis Opposes Trump's Pick for DC Prosecutor Ed Martin

Republican Senator Thom Tillis has announced he will not support President Donald Trump's nomination of Ed Martin to serve as U.S. attorney for the District of Columbia, citing Martin's defense of participants in the January 6 Capitol riot and his involvement with 'Stop the Steal' rallies. Tillis, who sits on the Senate Judiciary Committee, stated his concerns were specifically related to Martin's handling of Jan. 6 cases and emphasized the need for clear condemnation of the events that occurred that day. This opposition is significant as it likely stalls Martin's confirmation, given the committee's composition and the requirement for Tillis's vote to advance the nomination. Martin, currently serving as interim U.S. attorney after being appointed by Trump, has faced criticism for referring to prosecutors as 'President Trump's lawyers' and penalizing those who prosecuted Capitol riot cases. Tillis’s stance marks a rare split from Trump, with the senator also expressing disapproval of the pardons granted to Jan. 6 defendants. Without committee support, Martin's future as the permanent top federal prosecutor in Washington remains uncertain.