Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) announced Tuesday he will vote to confirm President Trump’s nominee Ed Martin as U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia—just hours after Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC) stunned reporters with a politically charged rationale for his opposition.
Martin, currently serving as Acting U.S. Attorney for D.C., has been a lightning rod for controversy ever since launching investigations into former Biden-appointed U.S. Attorney Matthew Graves and the Department of Justice’s use of the controversial 1512(c)(2) charge against January 6 defendants. Trump formally nominated Martin for permanent status earlier this year.
The deadline to confirm Martin is May 20. If the Senate fails to act, Chief Judge James Boasberg—a liberal-leaning figure—will gain authority to appoint an interim U.S. Attorney, an outcome many conservatives fear will resurrect Biden-era tactics of overreach and political prosecution.
Tillis Admits Martin Is Qualified—But Opposes Him for “Where January 6 Happened”
In a shocking admission caught on camera by CNN’s Manu Raju, Senator Tillis acknowledged that Ed Martin is fully qualified and has done “a great job” in his role—but claimed he could not support Martin’s nomination solely because of the district where January 6 occurred.
“If Mr. Martin were being put forth as a U.S. Attorney for any district except the district where January 6 happened… I’d probably support him,” Tillis confessed.
Tillis further insisted that anyone who “entered the building” on January 6—even after police opened doors for them—should serve up to three years in prison, a stance that places him at odds with many legal scholars and constitutional rights advocates.
Cornyn Steps Up to Support Martin
In contrast, Senator Cornyn offered a strong, principled endorsement of Martin, pledging to support his confirmation.
“When he comes up for a vote, I intend to support him,” Cornyn told reporters. “I tend to defer to the president on his choices.”
Cornyn’s support boosts the odds of Martin’s confirmation and suggests momentum may now be shifting toward pushing through the nomination—despite internal GOP resistance from senators like Tillis and Bill Cassidy.
Why Martin’s Nomination Matters
Martin’s confirmation is seen as crucial by conservatives who want accountability for the DOJ’s conduct in January 6 cases and its alleged political targeting of Trump supporters. Under Martin’s watch, prosecutors who previously led controversial January 6 cases—including those against Steve Bannon, Peter Navarro, and Proud Boys leaders—were reassigned to lesser duties.
Martin is also investigating whether Biden-era prosecutors misused the 1512(c)(2) felony obstruction charge, which carries a 20-year sentence and has been criticized for criminalizing constitutionally protected protest activity.
What Happens If Martin Isn’t Confirmed?
If the Senate does not confirm Martin by May 20, Judge James Boasberg could appoint an interim U.S. Attorney—potentially undoing Martin’s investigations and restoring the DOJ’s prior aggressive posture.
That prospect has many conservatives urging grassroots action.
“Don’t let Boasberg pick the next U.S. Attorney for D.C.,” one conservative legal activist said. “Call your senator. Demand a vote. Confirm Ed Martin.”
Conclusion: A Defining Moment for the Senate GOP
The unfolding drama over Ed Martin’s nomination is more than a personnel battle—it’s a test of whether the GOP will stand up to political weaponization of the justice system or cave to pressure from within.
Senator Cornyn has chosen principle. The question now is: will the rest of the GOP follow?