Tillis Opposes Martin’s Nomination
Senator Tom Tillis, a Republican from North Carolina, expressed his opposition to Ed Martin’s nomination as the U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia on Tuesday. His concerns largely stem from Martin’s actions related to the events of January 6, 2021.
With a challenging reelection campaign looming next year, Tillis suggested that Martin is unlikely to receive Senate confirmation, despite Republicans holding a 53-47 majority.
“He seems like a decent guy, but my main worries are connected to January 6th,” Tillis shared with reporters. “I’ve made it clear to the White House that I won’t back his nomination.”
Republican leaders in North Carolina met with Martin recently, but their support wavered due to his past comments regarding supporters of former Presidents Trump and Biden, who charged the Capitol in an effort to disrupt the electoral vote count confirming Biden’s presidency.
Tillis serves on the Senate Judiciary Committee, which includes 12 Republicans and 10 Democrats.
The committee has yet to set a date for voting on Martin’s nomination. Meanwhile, Martin, a New Jersey native, faces a deadline of May 20 to secure the role before a new U.S. District Court judge is appointed.
Throughout his interim period as U.S. Attorney, Martin referred to the prosecutors involved in the Capitol riot cases as “President Trump’s attorneys.”
On the eve of the riot, January 5, 2021, he delivered a speech at the Capitol. Martin, a former Missouri Republican Party chairman, had previously lauded Timothy Hale Casanelli, a defendant in the riot case, as a “great friend” and “extraordinary leader.” However, he has since distanced himself from Hale Casanelli, who prosecutors noted had ties to white supremacist groups.
Tillis emphasized the importance of acknowledging that the events of January 6 were unacceptable. “It was not incited by anyone else,” he pointed out. “The decision-making that took place that day was foolish, and it brought shame to our country by wreaking havoc at the Capitol.”
He further remarked that Martin struggles to clarify his views, adding that if Martin were a candidate for U.S. Attorney in a different district, he might support him.
Trump previously exerted pressure on Republican lawmakers to push Martin’s nomination despite the backlash surrounding the Capitol riots.
In a statement, Trump underscored the importance of Martin’s role in restoring public health and safety, expressing hope that Republican senators would support his nomination.
