As his final year in office approaches, Republican Senator Thom Tillis of North Carolina is transforming from a party loyalist into a significant and vocal critic of the Trump White House. Freed from the pressures of reelection in a battleground state, Tillis is leveraging his independence in ways that could complicate the president's agenda on Capitol Hill.
A Newfound Freedom to Criticize
Thom Tillis insists his independent streak is not new, but his retirement announcement has undoubtedly amplified his voice. "What's hysterical to me is how people think that my independence is something new and occurred after I announced my retirement," Tillis told HuffPost. He argues his disagreements stem from a desire to "clean up the execution" of policy, not the agenda itself. This shift has moved him from an occasional irritant to a frequent critic willing to directly challenge Trump appointees and ideas.
While not as harsh as former Senator Mitt Romney, Tillis has become the most prominent Republican in the Senate during Trump's second term to break with the administration regularly. His criticism focuses on what he sees as poor advice from the president's inner circle. "Who on Earth believes that the president could possibly have the depth of expertise to make some of these detailed decisions?" Tillis asked reporters this week, placing blame on Trump's advisers.
Confrontations on Policy and Personnel
Senator Tillis has taken concrete steps that directly challenge White House priorities. As a member of the influential Senate Banking Committee, he has threatened to block any Trump nominee to the Federal Reserve Board. This move is a response to a Justice Department investigation into Fed Chair Jerome Powell that is widely viewed as political. It could prevent Trump from installing a loyalist who would aggressively cut interest rates, a key presidential demand.
Trump responded dismissively to Tillis's stance at an event in Michigan. "That's why he's not going to be senator any longer," the president said, while insisting Powell should lower rates or resign.
In recent weeks, Tillis has publicly rebuked several top Trump allies. He labeled the idea of the U.S. acquiring Greenland as "stupid" and blasted White House adviser Stephen Miller for giving bad advice. He defended Democratic Senator Mark Kelly from "ridiculous" attacks by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. He also criticized Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem for prematurely condemning a woman killed by an ICE agent.
Furthermore, Tillis joined Democrats in successfully pushing for a plaque in the Senate honoring police officers who defended the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021. This action contradicted the false White House narrative blaming the Capitol Police for the riot.
A Delicate Balance: Conservative Loyalist vs. Independent Voice
Despite his pointed critiques, Tillis maintains he is a supporter of the president and his broader agenda. He distinguishes himself from "never-Trump" conservatives by not attacking Trump's character. His mission, he suggests, is to improve the administration by calling out flawed advice from aides. "I don't like arrogance, when somebody thinks, just because they've got a title, that they're more capable than they really are," he said of Trump's advisers.
This dance is familiar. In 2019, Tillis initially opposed Trump's emergency declaration to fund a border wall, faced primary threats, and then reversed his position. Since his 2020 reelection, he has worked on bipartisan legislation concerning gay rights, guns, and immigration.
His current independence hasn't caused major alarm within the Senate GOP. Colleagues like Senator John Cornyn of Texas attribute it to the freedom of not facing voters again. "I just think he's enjoying the freedom to speak his mind without any political repercussions," Cornyn said. Senator Shelley Moore Capito of West Virginia added, "He's a team player. Thom Tillis believes in Republican principles."
Democrats, however, welcome his stance. Senator Brian Schatz of Hawaii called Tillis "one of the most skilled legislators in a generation or two" and noted, "I think he's more worried about what happens in the country than his standing with his conference."
As his term concludes, Thom Tillis is carving out a unique role: a conservative willing to use his final months in office to check presidential power and influence, setting the stage for a consequential final year in the Senate.
