Thom Tillis regrets Hegseth confirmation, calls for GOP return to conservatism

Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC) has expressed significant regret regarding his support for the Trump administration in his new book, ‘How to Lose Friends and Antagonize Presidents’. Tillis identified his vote to confirm Pete Hegseth as Secretary of Defense as the “greatest regret” of his political career, noting that his vote would have been decisive in blocking the nomination had he chosen to vote against it.

Beyond specific appointments, Tillis argued that the Republican Party needs to move away from populism and return to its conservative principles. He criticized current party directions, specifically citing stances on corporate equity, tariffs, and foreign policy regarding Russia and Ukraine, stating that the current drift does not represent a true conservative Republican Party.