Sen. Thom Tillis expresses regret over confirmation votes in new book

Republican Senator Thom Tillis states in his upcoming book that his vote to confirm Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth in January 2025 is the "biggest regret of my career." He also mentions that he "should've stopped" Robert F. Kennedy Jr. from becoming Health and Human Services secretary during President Donald Trump's second term. In "How to Lose Friends and Antagonize Presidents," set to be published on Tuesday, Tillis defends his decision to avoid being the only dissenting voice against Trump's nominees, despite his skepticism about Hegseth's management style and conduct, which Hegseth has denied. Tillis writes, "I know for a fact that there are others like me," referring to Republicans who felt pressured to support Trump's early nominations. He claims that at least 30 of his GOP colleagues have privately expressed reservations about Trump's actions but have publicly supported him. Tillis, who announced he would not seek reelection after a disagreement with Trump over a tax and spending cuts package, criticizes Trump while acknowledging his political talent. He warns against a potential drift toward authoritarianism and urges his colleagues to oppose Trump more frequently for their political benefit. He predicts a challenging outcome for Republicans in the upcoming midterm elections. The book includes strong language and critiques of Trump's policies, including tariffs and immigration raids. Tillis recounts the process leading to Hegseth's confirmation vote, which resulted in a tie broken by Vice President JD Vance. He reflects on his vote for Kennedy, expressing regret over the consequences of that decision. Tillis emphasizes that he did not want to be the deciding factor in these nominations and critiques several of Trump's Cabinet picks. His announcement not to run for reelection followed increased criticism of Trump, particularly regarding Medicaid cuts. He recounts a text exchange with Trump in which he expressed concern over the administration's failures.