Trump says Thom Tillis' refusal to confirm Ed Martin for DC Atty is 'disappointing'

President Donald Trump on Tuesday expressed disappointment in Senator Thom Tillis for opposing the nomination of Ed Martin as US Attorney for the District of Columbia.

“It’s disappointing,” Trump told reporters when asked about Tillis’ opposition, while acknowledging that he had not known Tillis was against it until the reporter asked about it.

Trump defended Martin’s record, citing a significant drop in crime in Washington, DC, since Martin took over in an acting capacity. 

“I know Ed. He’s very talented. Crime is down in Washington, DC. Street crime, violent crime by 25 percent,” Trump said, adding that people have noticed a “big difference” in the city.

“If anybody voted against him, I feel very badly about it,” Trump continued. “That’s really up to the senators if they feel that way.”

Tillis revealed on Tuesday that he had informed the White House of his decision to oppose Martin’s nomination following a meeting with him Monday night. Tillis cited concerns about Martin’s past comments and legal work related to the events of January 6, 2021. “I have no tolerance for anybody that entered the building on Jan. 6, and that’s probably where most of the friction was,” Tillis said.

Following Tillis's remarks, Senate Majority Leader John Thune indicated that Martin's nomination is unlikely to advance through the Senate Judiciary Committee, according to Politico. Tillis has reportedly suggested Securities and Exchange Commission Chairman Jay Clayton as a potential alternative. Trump previously nominated Clayton to be US Attorney for the Southern District of New York, but the nomination has stalled due to Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer invoking home-state privileges to block it from being considered in the Senate.

“If you take a look at his tenure as SEC ... he’s a rock solid, smart guy,” Tillis said of Clayton. “So all I’ve said was: ‘Look, if we’ve got to find another nominee, I wouldn’t count him out if he would be willing to serve.’”

Martin, who has been serving as acting US Attorney for DC, faces an expiration of his appointment on May 20. A White House spokesman defended the nomination, saying, “Ed Martin is a fantastic US 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.”