Overview

• Sen. Thom Tillis confirmed he will not seek reelection and will spend his remaining 18 months supporting President Trump’s plan for deeper federal spending cuts.
• He pledged to advance Judge Emil Bove’s nomination but vowed to deny cloture to any judicial candidate who condoned the January 6 Capitol attack.
• Tillis criticized Trump’s advisers as inexperienced and said he mirrors any disrespect shown to him, pointing to a Truth Social post as his breaking point.
• He intends to use his roles on the Finance, Banking and Judiciary Committees to shape policy and block nominees without electoral constraints.
• His retirement triggered a competitive race for North Carolina’s 2026 Senate seat, with Republicans eyeing pro-Trump figures such as Lara Trump to maintain control.