Senator Thom Tillis Calls Pete Hegseth Confirmation Career's Biggest Regret
Senator Thom Tillis reveals in his new memoir that confirming Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth was the biggest regret of his career and warns of executive overreach.
Republican Senator Thom Tillis revealed in his new book, "How to Lose Friends and Antagonize Presidents," that his January 2025 deciding vote to confirm Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth was the "biggest regret" of his career. Tillis described Hegseth as an actor rather than a manager who is "out of his depth" regarding the Department of Defense. He also expressed regret for failing to block the confirmation of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., citing the havoc caused by Kennedy's tenure.
Tillis detailed the high-pressure environment surrounding these decisions, including a meeting in the Situation Room with Vice President J.D. Vance and Army Secretary Walt Driscoll intended to sway his vote. He claimed at least 30 GOP colleagues privately share reservations about President Donald Trump's actions while maintaining public support due to a culture of fear. While Tillis characterized Trump as an "amazing political talent," he criticized the administration's tariffs, immigration raids, and the war in Iran.
The senator, who is not seeking reelection, stated his relationship with Trump reached a breaking point in June 2025 over a tax and spending package that reduced Medicaid funding. This dispute led to public insults from the president and Tillis's decision to leave office. Tillis warned that continued executive overreach could lead to a "dictator king" and predicted a "bloodbath" for Republicans in the upcoming November midterm elections.
