CV NEWS FEED // Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., announced Tuesday he will oppose President Donald Trump’s nominee for US attorney in D.C., effectively derailing Ed Martin’s nomination.
Martin, a Catholic and conservative lawyer from Missouri, currently serves as interim US attorney for D.C. He gained national prominence for questioning election irregularities in 2020 and defending clients charged in connection with the Jan. 6 Capitol breach.
Tillis, a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee facing a tough re-election in 2026, cited Martin’s Jan.6-related cases as the reason for his opposition.
“Most of my concerns are related to January 6,” Tillis told reporters Tuesday.
“If Mr. Martin were being put forth as a US attorney for any district except the district where January 6 happened, the protest happened, I’d probably support him but not in this district,” he added.
Despite calling Martin “a good man,” Tillis reiterated, “I have no tolerance for anybody that entered the building on January 6, and that’s probably where most of the friction was.”
Republicans currently hold a narrow 12-10 majority on the Judiciary Committee, and with all Democrats opposed, Tillis’ opposition likely means Martin’s nomination will not advance.
Trump has stood firmly behind Martin, praising him in a Monday Truth Social post.
“According to many but, in particular, Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., his approval is IMPERATIVE in terms of doing all that has to be done to SAVE LIVES and to, MAKE AMERICA HEALTHY AGAIN,” he wrote.
“I hope, that the Republican Senators will make a commitment to his approval, which is now before them,” Trump added. “Ed is coming up on the deadline for Voting and, if approved, HE WILL NOT LET YOU DOWN.”
White House spokesman Alex Pfeiffer echoed the support Tuesday, calling Martin a “fantastic U.S. Attorney for D.C.” who is “the right man for the job.”
CatholicVote’s Johua Mercer described Martin as a “rock-solid conservative” who is “playing a key role in ending the weaponization of our justice system.”
“We’ve known Ed Martin for years… But if his appointment isn’t confirmed by May 20th, all that could stop… and the position will be filled by the courts.”