- Trump abandons Ed Martin nomination due to bipartisan Senate opposition
- Martin faced scrutiny for defending Jan 6 rioters with extremist ties
- Interim tenure included purging Jan 6 investigators and targeting Democrats
- Nomination window closes as 120-day acting term expires May 20
President Trump abruptly withdrew Ed Martin's nomination for DC US Attorney during an Oval Office press briefing, marking another setback for the administration's Justice Department appointments. The decision came after Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC) joined Democrats in opposing Martin, whose history of defending January 6 rioters with documented antisemitic affiliations proved politically toxic. Legal analysts suggest this reflects growing Senate resistance to nominees perceived as undermining prosecutorial independence.
Martin's interim tenure drew criticism for replacing career attorneys investigating the Capitol attack with political loyalists. Between February and May, he issued 14 termination notices to prosecutors handling sensitive Jan 6 cases while sending 9 threat letters to Democratic lawmakers. This pattern mirrors 2022 conflicts in Texas, where US Attorney nominee Carla Reyes attempted to halt border corruption probes against political allies before her confirmation collapsed.
The failed nomination highlights three emerging Senate confirmation trends: intensified scrutiny of nominees' social media histories, reduced tolerance for partisan DOJ interventions, and bipartisan demands for distance from election denial movements. Justice Department records show 38% of 2023 US Attorney nominees faced extended confirmation delays over political conduct concerns – a 17% increase from 2020.
Trump's team must now secure a replacement nominee before Martin's interim authority expires on May 20. Potential candidates reportedly include former Maryland U.S. Attorney Robert Hur and ex-Justice Department antitrust chief Makan Delrahim. However, Senate aides warn any appointee with Trump campaign ties risks renewed confirmation battles during election season.