Sen. Thom Tillis (R-NC) announced Sunday he will not seek reelection following his high-profile opposition to President Donald Trump’s signature legislative package.
The veteran lawmaker’s decision comes just days after he publicly rejected Trump’s “Big, Beautiful Bill” over concerns about Medicaid funding cuts that would impact his home state.
Tillis released his retirement statement Sunday, emphasizing his pride in decades of public service while defending his record of bipartisan cooperation.
He specifically highlighted achievements he considers career-defining moments, including his work on eugenics compensation legislation and mental health investments.
“I am most proud of my bipartisan victories such as passing the first-in-the-nation eugenics compensation as Speaker, and working across the aisle in the Senate to pass the largest investment in mental health” in United States history, Tillis stated.
The outgoing senator notably acknowledged that his willingness to work with Democrats has created friction within his own party ranks.
Tillis admitted that “sometimes those bipartisan initiatives got” him in trouble with fellow Republicans who preferred more partisan approaches to governance.
The North Carolina Republican painted a picture of a Senate where moderate voices willing to compromise have become increasingly rare and unwelcome.
“In Washington over the last few years, it’s been increasingly evident that leaders who are willing to embrace bipartisanship, compromise, and demonstrate independent thinking are becoming an endangered species,” Tillis explained in his statement.
He referenced unnamed Democratic colleagues who faced similar challenges for refusing to eliminate the Senate filibuster, describing them as leaders who prioritized functionality over political expedience.
“Democrats recently lost two such leaders who were dedicated to making the Senate more of a functional and productive legislative body,” Tillis continued.
“They got things done. But they were shunned after they courageously refused to cave to their party bosses to nuke the filibuster for the sake of political expediency. They ultimately retired and their presence in the Senate chamber has been sorely missed every day since.”
Despite his retirement announcement, Tillis committed to serving North Carolina constituents through the remainder of his current term.
The senator expressed gratitude for relationships built during his tenure and pledged continued service over the next year and a half.
Tillis stated he was “beyond grateful for the friends” he had made and looked forward to “continuing to serve North Carolina over the next 18 months.”
The retirement announcement follows Tillis’s Saturday rejection of Trump’s major legislative initiative, which sparked immediate backlash from the former and current president.
Tillis explained his opposition centered on financial concerns for North Carolina, particularly regarding healthcare funding and Medicaid coverage.
“I did my homework on behalf of North Carolinians, and I cannot support this bill in its current form,” Tillis declared.
“It would result in tens of billions of dollars in lost funding for North Carolina, including our hospitals and rural communities.”
“This will force the state to make painful decisions like eliminating Medicaid coverage for hundreds of thousands in the expansion population, and even reducing critical services for those in the traditional Medicaid population.”
Trump responded swiftly to Tillis’s opposition with harsh criticism posted on his Truth Social platform, accusing the senator of grandstanding for personal publicity.
The president characterized Tillis’s position as supporting massive tax increases rather than historic tax cuts, while questioning the senator’s understanding of debt ceiling politics.
“Looks like Senator Thom Tillis, as usual, wants to tell the Nation that he’s giving them a 68% Tax Increase, as opposed to the Biggest Tax Cut in American History! At the same time, he is unable to understand the importance of a Debt Extension, which Republicans gave to the Democrats just prior to the November 5th Election, because of its significance, and how important it was for the future of the U.S.A.,” Trump wrote.
Trump escalated his criticism by revealing that potential primary challengers have already approached him about running against Tillis in future elections.
The president indicated he would personally evaluate and potentially endorse candidates to replace the retiring senator.
“Numerous people have come forward wanting to run in the Primary against ‘Senator Thom’ Tillis,” Trump announced.
“I will be meeting with them over the coming weeks, looking for someone who will properly represent the Great People of North Carolina and, so importantly, the United States of America.”
The post RINO Sen. Shocks GOP by Announcing Retirement After Trump Feud appeared first on Resist the Mainstream.
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Author: Jordyn M.
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