Trump withdraws his nomination of Ed Martin for US attorney in DC

Donald Trump on Thursday withdrew Ed Martin as a candidate for US attorney for the District of Columbia.

After a debate in the West Wing, the president withdrew his nomination, saying: "He's a terrific person. He wasn't getting the support from the people I thought he was," he said. "But we have another person who will be great," Trump asserted.

Martin currently serves as acting federal prosecutor, but his term will expire on May 20.

On Tuesday, Sen. Thom Tillis, a key Republican on the Judiciary Committee, said he would not support Martin's nomination for defending Capitol Hill protesters, reported The New York Times.

Tillis' lack of support dealt a blow to Martin's confirmation, as the committee was tied 11 to 11 with Republicans and Democrats evenly divided, which would not allow Martin to move to a confirmation vote on the floor of the Senate.