President Donald Trump has failed to make Ed Martin the permanent U.S. Prosecutor for the Department of Justice in Washington, D.C., in what is a blow to his administration’s goals.
Why It Matters
Upon assuming office on January 20, one of Trump’s day one actions was the interim appointment of Martin, the former Missouri GOP chairman, as Washington’s top prosecutor.
But some four months later on Thursday, Trump rescinded Martin’s nomination after it became clear Martin would not get enough Senate votes to advance.
Interim U.S. attorneys can serve for 120 days before needing permanent confirmation by the Senate.
Trump’s nominations have thus far been relatively successful. He has said that he was “disappointed” that senators indicated they would not support Martin’s nomination. Getting opposition from Republicans shows the limits of his power as he shapes his administration.
However, Trump has also advanced many policies during his first 100 days in office. He has conducted mass deportations and pardoned January 6 rioters. He has also signed a wave of executive orders and secured the nomination of his allies to top cabinet positions.
What To Know
Martin’s nomination unraveled when Republican North Carolina Senator Thom Tillis said he would not support it.
Tillis was concerned that Martin previously provided legal representation to defendants charged with crimes related to the January 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol.
Given Democrats in the Senate Judiciary Committee were also all against him, one Republican dissident would have been enough to sink Martin’s nomination.
What People Are Saying
Trump to reporters in the Oval Office Thursday: “To me it was disappointing. I’ll be honest, I have to be straight. I was disappointed, a lot of people were disappointed, but that’s the way it works sometimes.
“He wasn’t rejected, but we felt it would be very—it would be hard. And we have somebody else that we’ll be announcing over the next two days, who’s going to be great.”
Senator Thom Tillis, speaking to reporters on Tuesday: “I’ve indicated to the White House I wouldn’t support his nomination. If Mr. Martin were being put forth as a U.S. attorney for any district except the district where January 6 happened, the protest happened, I’d probably support him. But not in this district.”
Charlie Kirk, founder of Turning Point USA, on X (formerly Twitter) Tuesday: “Tillis’ logic is absurd. He ignores or forgets that many J6ers who entered the Capitol were waved in by Capitol Police. Many simply looked inside the building or took a selfie and left. Those people did NOT deserve to spend a day in prison.”
Emily Peterson-Cassin, director of corporate power at Demand Progress, said in a statement: “Ed Martin is a grave threat to civil liberties and the rule of law, so any news indicating that he will no longer be President Trump’s legal pointman in D.C. is good news for the nation,”
What Happens Next
Trump said he would name Jeanine Pirro, a Fox News host and former state-level prosecutor, to be the interim U.S. attorney instead.
Meanwhile, writing on Truth Social, he announced Martin will move to the Department of Justice as the new director of the Weaponization Working Group, Associate Deputy Attorney General, and Pardon Attorney.
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