Politics
Trump Puts RINO Senators On Notice Over Plot To Thwart Crucial Nominee
President Donald Trump shared his thoughts on a plot from a group of Republican senators to derail the nomination of Ed Martin, the president’s nominee for the critical position of D.C. U.S. Attorney, in a forceful Truth Social post on Monday night.
Martin was appointed to his current position on January 20, the day Trump was sworn in for his second term. As District Attorney for the District of Columbia, Martin serves a unique role of prosecuting both federal and local crimes in the D.C. area.
His predecessor, Matthew Graves, used the position to arrest hundreds of Trump supporters on non-violent trespassing charges relating to the January 6 Capitol protests, many of whom were sentenced to lengthy federal prison terms on non-violent misdemeanor charges.
Martin’s interim appointment can last for a maximum of 120 days, and is set to end on May 20. If Martin is not confirmed by that date, the authority to appointing a replacement will fall to the fervently anti-Trump U.S. District Court.
Chief Judge James Boasberg — an Obama appointee who has been attempting to hold Trump Administration officials in contempt for allegedly violating a highly questionable order — would be overseeing the process.
Martin testifies at a January 6 field hearing in 2023
Despite the critical importance of the position to the Trump Administration, a number of Republican senators have suggested they will vote against Martin’s confirmation. Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC) has expressed concerns over Martin’s advocacy for January 6 political prisoners, while Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) has not committed to supporting him, stating, “We’ll cross that bridge when we come to it.”
Additional senators who have yet to endorse Martin’s nomination include Graham (R-SC), Collins (R-ME), McConnell (R-KY), Curtis (R-UT), Murkowski (R-AK) and Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD), casting uncertainty over a final vote.
As the process nears its conclusion, President Trump urged Republican senators to support the confirmation in a Truth Social post on Monday night, The president stressed that Martin’s role is pivotal to executing his “Make America Healthy Again” agenda, among other things.
“According to many but, in particular, Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., his approval is IMPERATIVE in terms of doing all that has to be done to SAVE LIVES and to, MAKE AMERICA HEALTHY AGAIN,” the president wrote. “This is a passion for Ed, more so than for almost anyone that I have seen. One of the reasons that I was so successful in winning the 2024 Presidential Election is my commitment to Health, and helping to Make America Healthy. The Cost of the Chronic Disease Epidemic has gotten out of control over the past four years of the Biden Presidency. We are going to take our Country BACK, and FAST.”
The president went on to express his “hope” that Republican senators will help him do so by voting to confirm. “When some day in the future you look back at your Vote for Ed Martin, you will be very proud of what you have done for America and America’s Health. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!” the post concluded.
Senator Thom Tillis has publicly raised questions over Martin’s nomination
Photo: Gage Skidmore
As District Attorney for the District of Columbia, Martin’s duties expand far beyond those of a standard regional U.S. attorney.
The D.C. U.S. Attorney’s Office handles all federal cases in the District of Columbia including drug trafficking, sex trafficking, child pornography, federal firearms violations, white-collar crime, public corruption, and terrorism cases. The office handles all local cases in the district, ranging from misdemeanors to murders.
In addition, the D.C. U.S. Attorney’s Office represents the U.S. government in civil proceedings filed in federal courts in D.C., including challenges to federal policies, employment practices, and cases involving national security or government operations. This includes federal campaign finance violations, as well as cases involving members of congress, federal agencies or high-profile public corruption.
