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.

Sen. Thom Tillis‘s (R-NC) opposition to one of President Donald Trump’s nominees is presenting the latest test of their relationship as Tillis balances his independent streak with an endorsement he might seek in his fight for reelection.