Former President Donald Trump on Thursday withdrew his controversial nomination of Ed Martin to serve as the top federal prosecutor for the District of Columbia, citing a lack of support in the Senate.
The move came as Mr. Martin faced long odds of confirmation by the Senate Judiciary Committee.
Mr. Trump announced the decision from the White House, stating Mr. Martin was "a terrific person." Donald Trump had nominated Mr. Martin for the influential U.S. attorney position earlier in the week.
Opposition had emerged, including from within Mr. Trump's own party. Sen. Thom Tillis of North Carolina publicly opposed the nomination, a stance seen as notable given the typical alignment of Republican senators with the former president's picks.Senators on the Judiciary Committee represent states where Mr. Trump enjoys significant support. For example, members hail from states like Tennessee and Alabama, which strongly backed him in the last election. Other members represent Missouri and Iowa, also states carried by the former president.
Despite this, concerns reportedly surfaced among some senators regarding Mr. Martin's qualifications and past statements. His nomination drew attention following reports about his views on the January 6 events.Ultimately, the resistance signaled Mr. Martin would likely not advance through the committee or secure confirmation by the full Senate.
Mr. Trump summarized the situation: "He wasn't getting the support." Trump Martin prosecutor DOJ Jan6
