Trump says he’ll pull the nomination of Ed Martin, who defended Jan. 6 rioters, for DC US Attorney
May 8, 2025, 8:58 AM | Updated: 4:14 pm
Ed Martin speaks at an event hosted by Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., at the Capitol in Washington, June 13, 2023. (Photo: Amanda Andrade-Rhoades, The Associated Press)
(Photo: Amanda Andrade-Rhoades, The Associated Press)
President Donald Trump said Thursday that he would pull the nomination of conservative activist Ed Martin Jr. to be the top federal prosecutor for the nation鈥檚 capital, after a key Republican senator said he could not support him for the job due to his defense of Jan. 6 rioters.
鈥淲e have somebody else that will be great,鈥� Trump told reporters in the Oval Office when asked about the status of Martin鈥檚 confirmation. He said it was disappointing, but 鈥渢hat鈥檚 the way it works sometime.鈥�
A spokesperson for Ed Martin didn鈥檛 immediately respond to messages seeking comment.
Martin has served as acting U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia since Trump鈥檚 first week in office. But his hopes of keeping the job faded amid questions about his qualifications and background, including his support for rioters who stormed the U.S. Capitol over four years ago.
Martin stirred up a chorus of critics during his brief but tumultuous tenure leading the nation鈥檚 largest U.S. Attorney鈥檚 office. He fired and demoted subordinates who worked on politically sensitive cases. He posted on social media about potential targets of investigations. And he forced the chief of the office鈥檚 criminal division to resign after directing her to scrutinize the awarding of a government contract during Democratic President Joe Biden鈥檚 administration.
Martin鈥檚 temporary appointment is due to expire on May 20.
