• Republican Senator Thom Tillis publicly opposes Ed Martin's nomination for U.S. Attorney for D.C. due to Martin's past support for Jan 6 riot defendants.
• Tillis's opposition leaves the Senate Judiciary Committee deadlocked, likely preventing Martin's nomination from advancing to a full Senate vote.
• The White House stands by Martin, but faces challenges including a May 20 deadline and potential alternative candidates if Martin's nomination fails.

Ed Martin, President Trump's nominee for U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia, faces significant opposition in the Senate, primarily from Republican Senator Thom Tillis. Tillis's opposition stems from Martin's past support for individuals charged in connection with the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot. With the Senate Judiciary Committee evenly split, Tillis's stance could effectively block Martin's nomination. The White House, however, continues to support Martin, creating a potential showdown with some members of the President's own party.

• What: Republican Senator Thom Tillis announced he would not support Ed Martin's nomination for U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia, citing Martin's support for Jan 6 riot defendants.
• Who: Key individuals involved include Senator Thom Tillis, President Donald Trump, Ed Martin, Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley, and Senators John Cornyn, Ted Cruz, and John Thune.
• When: The key events occurred on or around Tuesday, May 7, 2024, with a confirmation deadline of May 20, 2024, for Martin's interim appointment.
• Where: The events are primarily unfolding in Washington, D.C., within the U.S. Senate and the White House.

The opposition to Ed Martin's nomination highlights the deep divisions within the Republican party regarding the January 6th Capitol riot and its aftermath. Senator Tillis's stance, emphasizing accountability for those who breached the Capitol, contrasts with President Trump's pardoning of riot defendants. The potential failure of Martin's nomination would be a significant setback for the White House, especially given Trump's personal lobbying efforts. The situation also underscores the delicate balance of power in the Senate and the importance of individual senators' positions on controversial nominees. Martin's controversial past statements and actions while in office are additional factors contributing to his nomination's uncertain future.

If Mr. Martin were being put forth as a U.S. attorney for any district except the district where Jan. 6 happened, the protest happened, I’d probably support him, but not in this district.

I want to put people on the agenda that I can help the president be successful in his nominees. And that’s all I can say at this point.

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. He is the right man for the job and we look forward to his confirmation.

Ed Martin's nomination for U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia is in serious jeopardy following Senator Thom Tillis's public opposition. This opposition, combined with concerns from other Republican senators, creates a significant hurdle for Martin's confirmation. While the White House remains supportive, the nomination faces an impending deadline and the possibility of alternative candidates being considered. The outcome of this nomination process will likely reflect the ongoing tensions within the Republican party regarding the January 6th Capitol riot and the extent to which the Senate will defer to the President's judicial picks.