Surprising Rift in GOP Over Ed Martin’s Unusual Nomination Withdrawal

Person waving from airplane steps. — US President Donald Trump before departing from Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland on January 12, 2021.

President Trump withdraws controversial U.S. Attorney nominee Ed Martin amid Republican opposition in the Senate, naming Judge Jeanine Pirro as his replacement while keeping Martin in key Justice Department roles.

Key Takeaways

President Trump withdrew Ed Martin’s nomination for U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia after facing opposition from Senate Republicans, including Senator Thom Tillis.
Trump has named Fox News host and former prosecutor Jeanine Pirro as Martin’s replacement for the position.
Martin will remain at the Justice Department as associate deputy attorney general, pardon attorney, and director of the “Weaponization Working Group.”
Martin’s dismissal of prosecutors investigating the January 6 Capitol riot and ties to far-right groups contributed to his nomination’s failure.
The situation highlights divisions within the Republican Party over Trump’s more controversial appointees.

Senate Republicans Block Martin’s Confirmation

President Trump announced the withdrawal of Ed Martin’s nomination for U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia after it became clear Martin lacked sufficient Senate support for confirmation. Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC) publicly stated his opposition to Martin, specifically citing concerns about Martin’s connections to the January 6 Capitol riot. Senate Majority Leader John Thune had indicated the nomination likely wouldn’t advance through the Senate Judiciary Committee, signaling broader Republican hesitation and forcing Trump into a change.

While expressing disappointment over the outcome, Trump acknowledged the political reality. “I was disappointed. A lot of people were disappointed, but that’s the way it works sometimes. He wasn’t rejected, but we felt it would be very, it would be hard. And we have somebody else that we’ll be announcing over the next two days who’s going to be great,” Trump stated.

🚨 JUST IN — President Trump announces he has pulled the nomination of Ed Martin for U.S. Attorney for DC after receiving backlash from weak GOP Senators:

“I was disappointed, but we have somebody else that will be great.”pic.twitter.com/F1xVQTjFef

— Proud Elephant 🇺🇸🦅 (@ProudElephantUS) May 8, 2025

Judge Jeanine Steps In

Trump moved quickly to name Fox News host Jeanine Pirro as Martin’s replacement. Pirro brings credentials as a former prosecutor and state judge in New York. In his announcement, Trump praised Pirro’s qualifications, stating, “Jeanine is incredibly well qualified for this position, and is considered one of the Top District Attorneys in the History of the State of New York.” The position of U.S. Attorney for Washington D.C. is particularly significant as it handles both local and federal cases in the nation’s capital.

Pirro, a loyal Trump supporter, is known for her tough stance on crime and advocacy for victims. However, she also brings her own controversies, including her involvement in a defamation lawsuit against Fox News by Dominion Voting Systems regarding false election claims. Her nomination will need to navigate Senate confirmation, though her previous prosecutorial experience may help her case.

Martin Remains in Administration

Despite the withdrawal of his U.S. Attorney nomination, Martin will maintain significant influence within the Justice Department. Trump announced Martin will serve as associate deputy attorney general and pardon attorney. Additionally, Martin will direct the department’s “Weaponization Working Group,” a new initiative focused on investigating alleged politicization of government agencies under the previous administration.

These appointments notably do not require Senate confirmation, allowing Martin to remain within the administration despite congressional concerns. Martin, who had been serving as interim U.S. Attorney, drew controversy during his short tenure by dismissing prosecutors working on Capitol riot cases and taking actions that reportedly led to declining morale within the U.S. Attorney’s office.

Republican Divisions Exposed

The withdrawal highlights emerging tensions within the Republican Party between Trump loyalists and more traditional Republicans in the Senate. Martin’s background as a “Stop the Steal” activist and his controversial actions during his interim appointment proved too problematic even for some Republican senators, despite the party’s general support for Trump’s appointees. This relatively rare GOP pushback against a Trump nominee demonstrates limits to what Senate Republicans may be willing to approve.

Martin’s withdrawal marks one of the first significant nomination defeats for the Trump administration in its second term, demonstrating that despite Republican control of the Senate, confirmations aren’t automatic for all nominees. The episode also suggests that associations with January 6 events continue to be politically problematic, even among some Republican senators who otherwise align with Trump’s agenda.