60 Minutes Transcript: Sen. Thom Tillis
North Carolina Republican Thom Tillis has tried to balance party loyalty with open criticism of the Trump administration. He usually votes with Republicans while publicly challenging White House officials, saying he wants the president to succeed. He is now preparing to leave the Senate.
Tillis is a familiar and outspoken figure in Capitol corridors, often giving reporters blunt comments. His break with the White House grew after he opposed the One Big Beautiful Bill over its impact on lower-income Medicaid recipients in his state. President Trump responded with sharp personal criticism and threatened to back a primary opponent, after which Tillis said he would retire and wrote a blunt, profanity-filled book.
The senator has also targeted senior administration figures. He is calling for Defense official Hegseth to step down. Earlier this year, he pressed against Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem after a Minneapolis immigration operation in which federal agents killed two U.S. citizens, Renee Good and Alex Peretti.
Tillis said he is rarely angry but believes his anger deserves attention. He cited $200 million in department advertising featuring Noem on horseback and her description of people who were shot. He said that characterization was shown to be false.
The interview portrays his approach as praising Trump’s goals while blaming advisers and subordinates for failures. With retirement ahead, Tillis appears freer to speak critically without facing voters again.
Key points
- Tillis opposed spending bill over Medicaid cuts, drawing Trump primary threat.
- He seeks Hegseth resignation and criticized Noem after Minneapolis deaths.
- Retiring senator wrote profanity-laced book about antagonizing presidents.