Trump Nominee Ed Martin Faces Opposition in Senate Confirmation

WASHINGTON (AP) — Ed Martin Jr., President Donald Trump’s nominee for the top federal prosecutor in Washington, D.C., is seeing significant pushback as Senate confirmation approaches. Martin, a conservative activist with limited legal experience, previously defended rioters from the January 6, 2021, Capitol attack.

Senate Republicans are under pressure from their party’s conflicting loyalties as they prepare to deliberate on Martin’s future leading the nation’s largest U.S. Attorney’s office. Opposition comes from veterans of the office he leads on an interim basis, while Democrats work to delay his confirmation vote.

The tension was evident during a Judiciary meeting, where Illinois Sen. Dick Durbin stated that committee chairman Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, suggested not moving forward with Martin’s nomination. Grassley, however, remained noncommittal, citing ongoing evaluations of Martin’s record and additional questions from committee staff.

Martin, known for his loyalty to Trump, has made controversial decisions since his January appointment. He has demoted or fired veteran attorneys involved in prosecuting the Capitol rioters and previously appeared on Russian state media promoting Trump’s messages. Despite repeated requests, he has not agreed to interviews with the Associated Press since taking office.

In a recent NBC Washington interview, Martin expressed confidence in his nomination, claiming his office effectively tackles violent crime while maintaining that his personal views won’t affect his professional decisions. “We have to keep the streets safe AND fight for America on the world stage,” he wrote in a Substack post.

Democrats are calling for a rare hearing to question Martin, although typical procedure does not involve confirmation hearings for U.S. attorneys. If the committee approves him, he still faces challenges on the Senate floor due to opposition. California Sen. Adam Schiff has placed a hold on the nomination, which would require Republicans to dedicate several days for a potential vote.

Schiff has criticized Martin for perceived misconduct and undermining the independence of the U.S. Attorney’s office. Despite this, Martin has garnered support from influential conservative figures like Elon Musk and Donald Trump Jr. Republican leaders, including Sens. Rand Paul and Marsha Blackburn, have shown backing, with Paul asserting Martin’s capability to address lawlessness in D.C.

Martin initiated a “Make D.C. Safe Again” project shortly after his appointment, aimed at increasing federal prosecutions of gun-related cases. However, concerns about his prior statements regarding the January 6 events linger among some Republicans. North Carolina Sen. Thom Tillis has voiced hesitations but plans to meet with Martin soon.

Trump nominated Martin during a particularly controversial time, coinciding with mass pardons for allies involved in the Capitol riot. Observers believe that Martin’s past affiliations with the “Stop the Steal” movement complicate his nomination. He is noted for having represented Capitol riot defendants and supporting fundraising efforts for them.

Martin drew ire for presenting an award to a defendant espousing extremist views and is accused of tarnishing his office by targeting political opponents. As a result, critics brand him as unqualified for the U.S. Attorney role, questioning his experience and decision-making capabilities.

As the Senate deliberates, Martin’s fate remains uncertain, with hearings and political maneuvering likely shaping the outcome.