Ed Martin’s Nomination as US Attorney Loses Favor Among Republicans
WASHINGTON — The chances are dimming for Trump supporter Ed Martin to win Senate confirmation as the U.S. attorney for the District of Columbia.
Martin is currently the interim U.S. attorney. His term expires May 20.
Republicans who normally endorse President Donald Trump’s nominees for various high-level government positions are expressing concern over Martin’s participation in the “Stop the Steal” movement.
Participants in the movement joined Trump’s accusations that the 2020 presidential election was stolen from him by voter fraud. Their unproven accusations culminated in the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the Capitol.
Martin represented three of the insurrectionists who faced criminal charges while he was a private attorney in Missouri. When he was appointed as interim U.S. attorney, he fired or demoted attorneys who worked on Jan. 6 prosecutions.
Even Republicans on the Senate Judiciary Committee are concerned Martin might politicize his prosecutions by using law enforcement to retaliate against the president’s adversaries. The committee has 12 Republicans and 10 Democrats.
If Martin wins Senate confirmation, he would lead the nation’s biggest and most powerful Offices of the U.S. Attorneys.
Martin has been one of Trump’s staunchest supporters, even when the president suggested prosecuting his critics who suggested criminal charges against him for inciting the Jan. 6 riot at the Capitol. They included Liz Cheney, a former Republican congresswoman from Wyoming.
One of the issues that drew criticism of Martin among Republicans and Democrats were revelations that he likened former President Joe Biden to Adolf Hitler.
Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., said this week he would not support Martin’s nomination. His main concern was Martin’s support of the Jan. 6 insurrectionists.
“Where we probably have a difference is, I think anybody that reached the perimeter should have been in prison for some period of time, whether it’s for 30 days or three years, which is debatable,” Tillis told reporters. “But I have no tolerance for anybody who entered the building on Jan. 6.”
If he was nominated as U.S. attorney somewhere else, Tillis said he probably would vote for him, “but not in this district.”
Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley of Iowa, a Republican, has not scheduled a vote on Martin’s nomination before his term expires this month, perhaps indicating he did not believe the votes were present for confirmation.
Sen. John Thune, R-S.D., told CNN Tuesday that Tillis’ opposition “would suggest that he’s not probably going to get out of committee.”
Nevertheless, the White House is continuing a campaign in favor of Martin’s nomination.
Trump has been calling Republican senators to ask them to vote for Martin’s appointment.
“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,” a White House statement said. “He is the right man for the job and we look forward to his confirmation.”
Before being nominated by Trump, Martin was elected in 2013 as chairman of the Missouri Republican Party. Before that, he ran unsuccessfully for Congress and for Missouri attorney general.
As a private attorney, he handled commercial and pro bono cases, often representing conservative causes.
In one case, he represented two pharmacists who were ordered as part of an administrative rule to dispense a contraceptive that was authorized under an Illinois health plan. They refused, saying it violated their religious beliefs. Martin won an injunction on their behalf.
You can reach us at [email protected] and follow us on Facebook and X
We're proud to make our journalism accessible to everyone, but producing high-quality journalism comes at a cost. That's why we need your help. By making a contribution today, you'll be supporting TWN and ensuring that we can keep providing our journalism for free to the public.
Donate now and help us continue to publish TWN’s distinctive journalism. Thank you for your support!
