As Senator Thom Tillis leaves the Senate, he criticizes many of President Trump’s advisers, calling them sycophants. He urges his colleagues to act as the coequal branch of government they are.
In his new book, How to Lose Friends and Antagonize Presidents, the 66-year-old senator from North Carolina voices concern over the nation’s system of checks and balances. With experience in the Senate during the Obama, Biden, and both Trump administrations, Tillis warns about the executive branch’s growing influence.
We will have a sort of dictator king if we’re not careful,” he said.
Tillis argues every White House, including the current Trump administration, has been eager to govern by executive orders. He believes presidents fail to recognize Congress as a coequal branch.
He stated that even under Democratic-controlled Senates during Biden and Obama, there’s a tendency to transfer power to the White House. Tillis finds this problematic as it often backfires.
The Tillis Tightrope Act
Tillis entered the Senate in 2014, before the rise of Trump’s populist movement. He identifies as the same conservative now, advocating for the Second Amendment, pro-life, limited government, and fiscal restraint. The only change is having a long list of verified accomplishments.
After several disputes with the White House, Tillis decided to retire rather than battle for his seat. He had opposed Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act, believing it would harm low-income North Carolinians on Medicaid. This led to Trump threatening a primary challenger against him.
Tillis and Trump had a complicated relationship. Tillis respects Trump but acknowledges their disagreements. Leaked private texts revealing profanity-laced exchanges were included in Tillis’s upcoming book.
Tillis once supported Trump’s Cabinet nominees but regretted voting for Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. He criticizes Hegseth for not following military advice post-success in Iran.
Tillis has also criticized Kristi Noem, an advisor fired by Trump after Tillis challenged her actions regarding deaths in Minneapolis. He opposed her labeling those involved as domestic terrorists, a claim proven false.
Concerns Over Jan. 6 and Impeachment
Tillis remains upset about the January 6 Capitol attack, denouncing the threat to the peaceful transfer of power. However, he didn’t support Trump’s conviction in his second impeachment trial, stating the process was too rushed and politicized.
Cheapening the impeachment process to prevent somebody from running in the future, I just don’t buy it,” he said.
Electoral Implications and Republican Reservations
Tillis anticipates an “electoral bloodbath” for Republicans in the midterm elections, concerned about affordability issues. He notes that fear of the White House keeps many Republicans silent.
At least 30 Republican senators privately express reservations about Trump’s actions, but fear targeting by Trump keeps them quiet.
They don’t want to bear the weight of the president. You’re up for reelection? He’ll target you in a primary,” Tillis stated.
Tillis believes if Republicans had addressed issues sooner, the midterm outlook could have been more favorable.