Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC) has voiced reservations about endorsing President Donald Trump’s future choice for attorney general, stressing that the nominee must address his concerns regarding the events of January 6, 2021.
This development follows President Trump’s dismissal of Attorney General Pam Bondi, who played a pivotal role during the president’s second term. The acting attorney general, Todd Blanche, will fill the vacancy until a permanent successor is announced.
Possible candidates for the position include Environmental Protection Agency Director Lee Zeldin, D.C. U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro, Senator Eric Schmitt (R-MO), FBI Deputy Director Andrew Bailey, and Blanche.
While discussing the nomination on CNN with Kaitlan Collins, Tillis—who is preparing to retire—articulated his disconnect with Trump’s core supporters since his decision not to run for re-election.
Tillis’ backing is crucial, given his role on the Senate Judiciary Committee, which must greenlight any nominee before it reaches the Senate floor. With Democrats likely opposing any Trump selections, Tillis’ dissent could derail potential candidates.
“For me, the threshold for somebody following Pam Bondi ends the moment I hear they said one thing that excused the events of January the 6th. I’ve been very clear on that,” Tillis stated. “So I hope whoever they have in mind to follow General Bondi is very clear-eyed on my position on Jan. 6.”
Previously, Tillis has opposed Trump nominees who failed to denounce the January 6 protests. “That’s why I didn’t support two other nominees who were coming through the judiciary committee, and I won’t support any nominee who thought that any element of January 6 was excused,” he emphasized.
This firm stance aligns with past actions regarding nominations related to January 6. In May 2025, he rejected President Trump’s nomination of Ed Martin for U.S. attorney for the District of Columbia.
Martin, who had previously represented certain individuals linked to the January 6 events, faced intense scrutiny from Tillis due to his support for the protest defendants. The Senate Judiciary Committee could not advance Martin’s nomination because of Tillis’ opposition.
“I have no tolerance for anyone who entered the building on Jan. 6, and that’s probably where most of the friction was,” Tillis remarked at that time. “If Mr. Martin were being put forth as a U.S. attorney for any district except the district where Jan. 6 happened, I’d probably support him, but not in this district,” he concluded.
