Tillis opposition puts Trump loyalist's nomination in jeopardy

[BumRushDaShow]

Source: Axios

Updated 7 hours ago


Republican Sen. Thom Tillis (N.C.) told reporters Tuesday that he's opposed to Ed Martin's nomination for top prosecutor in D.C., threatening the viability of one of President Trump's loyalist picks.

Why it matters: Tillis is a member of the Judiciary Committee, which will vote first on the pick. A lone Republican holdout on the panel would mean Martin's nomination doesn't advance out of the committee.

Tillis told reporters that he left a Monday night meeting with Martin — who is now serving in the role in an interim capacity — concerned about the nominee's views over the proper punishment for Jan. 6 offenders.

"I have no tolerance for anyone who entered the building on Jan. 6, and that's probably where most of the friction was," he said, according to a post on X. "At this point, I've indicated to the White House I wouldn't support his nomination."

State of play: In February, Trump nominated Martin, a MAGA true believer who dismissed Jan. 6 investigators and says he will be tougher on violent criminals in the city.

And the White House showed no signs of backing away from the pick following Tillis' comments.

"Ed Martin is a fantastic U.S. Attorney for D.C. and will continue to implement the President's law-and-order agenda in Washington. He is the right man for the job and we look forward to his confirmation," White House spokesman Alex Pfeiffer told Axios.

The U.S. Attorney for D.C. has a big portfolio: white collar and national security investigations, for example, but also nearly all street-level crime in the District.

What we're watching: Martin's interim role is set to expire May 20, and Judiciary Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) has yet to schedule a committee vote on the nomination.

Read more: https://www.axios.com/2025/05/06/trump-ed-martin-dc-prosecutor-tillis-opposition