Tillis has a political incentive to block Trump’s nominee to serve as the top federal prosecutor in the District of Columbia, interim U.S. attorney Ed Martin.

President Trump said Thursday he will pull the nomination of U.S. Attorney for D.C. Ed Martin, just days after North Carolina Republican U.S. Sen. Thom Tillis said he wouldn't back him. Why it matters: Martin's leniency toward Jan.

Tillis's willingness to take the blame for blocking one of the president's nominees threatens to sour his standing in Trumpworld as he runs for reelection.