Senator Cornyn Backs Trump’s Nominee Amid Mixed Reactions
On Tuesday, Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) publicly declared his support for President Trump’s nominee for U.S. Attorney, Ed Martin, after speculation arose that he might oppose the nomination.
Currently serving as the Acting U.S. Attorney for Washington, D.C., Martin has been put forward by Trump for a permanent position in this crucial law enforcement role. However, time is of the essence; if Martin is not confirmed by May 20, a federal judge, Beryl A. Howell, will appoint an interim U.S. Attorney until the confirmation is finalized. As of now, there is no scheduled vote for Martin’s confirmation.
Earlier in the day, Senator Thom Tillis, also a Republican from North Carolina, expressed his opposition to Martin’s nomination, creating a ripple of surprise in political circles. Tillis asserted he would be on board with Martin for any district except the one implicated in the January 6 events.
This curious stance reveals a significant political undercurrent: Tillis acknowledged Martin’s qualifications but appeared to be sabotaging his nomination for what can only be described as political theatrics. “I have no tolerance for anybody who entered the building on January the 6th, and that’s probably where most of the friction was,” he remarked, indicating a clear bias based on the nomination’s political ramifications.
The North Carolina Senator went so far as to advocate for prison sentences of up to three years for those who merely stepped inside the Capitol that day, despite police having opened the doors for them. Ironically, even as he admitted Martin was doing an admirable job investigating the controversial use of the obstruction charge against January 6 defendants, his opposition seems rooted more in optics than in justice.
“If Mr. Martin were being put forth as a U.S. Attorney for any district except the district where January 6 happened, the protest happened, I’d probably support him, but not in this district,” Tillis candidly confessed to CNN’s Manu Raju, a statement that could be characterized as a rare admission of political posturing.
BREAKING GOP Senator Thom Tillis says he OPPOSES the nomination of Ed Martin for DC US Attorney.
“At this point I’ve indicated to the White House I wouldn’t support his nomination.” pic.twitter.com/PqJOiJc4PO
— Daily Caller (@DailyCaller) May 6, 2025
In contrast, Cornyn expressed his intent to support Martin when the vote arises. “When he comes up for a vote, I intend to support him,” Cornyn told reporters, emphasizing his tendency to defer to the President’s choices.
Texas Sen. Cornyn has joined President Trump in supporting Ed Martin’s confirmation to become the US attorney for DC.
“When he comes up for a vote, I intend to support him,” Cornyn told reporters this morning. “I tend to defer to the president on his choices.” @DailyCaller
— Andi Shae Napier (@AndiNapier) May 6, 2025
