Trump says Ed Martin will not be nominee for DC US Attorney

Published: Thursday, May 8, 2025 at 4:19 pm

Trump Scraps Ed Martin Nomination for DC US Attorney Amidst Controversy

President Donald Trump announced he's withdrawing his nomination of Ed Martin as the U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia. Speaking from the Oval Office, Trump cited a lack of support for Martin, despite calling him a "terrific person." The decision comes after significant pushback, primarily due to Martin's past.

Martin's nomination faced immediate scrutiny due to his defense of January 6th rioters and his inflammatory rhetoric surrounding the Capitol attack. This included defending a rioter with a history of antisemitic statements, who had even dressed as Adolf Hitler. Senator Thom Tillis, a crucial Republican vote on the Senate Judiciary Committee, publicly stated he would not support Martin's nomination, a move that, combined with expected Democratic opposition, would have likely blocked his confirmation.

Trump, while expressing disappointment, acknowledged the uphill battle Martin faced. He stated that the decision ultimately rested with the senators. Martin has served as the acting interim U.S. attorney since Trump's inauguration in January 2020. During his tenure, he has taken controversial actions, including attempting to fire or demote career attorneys who investigated the January 6th attack and sending threatening letters to prominent Democrats. Martin's interim term is set to expire on May 20th. Trump indicated a new nominee will be announced within the next two days.

BNN's Perspective: This situation highlights the complexities of political appointments. While it's understandable that a president would want to nominate someone they trust, the need for bipartisan support and the scrutiny of a nominee's past are crucial for maintaining public trust and ensuring the justice system operates fairly. The withdrawal of Martin's nomination suggests that even within the Republican party, there are limits to what can be tolerated, especially when it comes to defending the January 6th attack.

Keywords: Donald Trump, Ed Martin, US Attorney, District of Columbia, nomination, Senate confirmation, January 6th, Capitol attack, Thom Tillis, Republican, Democrats, Oval Office, interim U.S. attorney, political appointments, controversy

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