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During a Fox News Sunday appearance, Sen. Thom Tillis expressed strong disapproval of groups threatening to fund primary challenges against Republican senators who might oppose President-elect Donald Trump’s Cabinet nominees.
The North Carolina senator condemned these actions as premature, noting that essential background checks hadn’t even been reviewed yet. “We haven’t even seen the background checks, which I know the administration is sending our way. So, there’s a lot of information that needs to be gathered, and these folks who are making primary challenges, running ads, they seem more like political opportunists than me, than thoughtful members of the Republican Party.”
So help me God Thom Tillis, we voted Republican, we voted for change… if you do not deliver, if you do not back Trump’s cabinet picks… we will primary you the F out. We are DONE with your BS. pic.twitter.com/vyUWrnqqdx
— Tara LaRosa (@TaraLaRosa) December 12, 2024
Tillis revealed his concerns about the financial motivations behind these pressure campaigns, stating that “a lot of these are third parties that are making money from the fundraising campaigns, to put some ads in there but double digit percentages are going into their pockets.”
He offered straightforward advice to these groups: “Here’s what I would tell them: If they really support President Trump’s nominees they should stand down and let the nominees win on their own merits — and I think most of them will.”
Sen. Thom Tillis (R-NC) says the pressure campaign to back Trump’s nominees will backfire—but seems to forget it’s Republican voters who put him in office. Maybe Tillis needs a new job since he doesn’t care what his voters think. pic.twitter.com/GfbCnQ3l0o
— Shermichael Singleton (@MrShermichael) December 13, 2024
The senator clarified that these pressure tactics weren’t originating from Trump’s Mar-a-Lago residence, but rather from activist organizations seeking attention. He argued that such actions could potentially harm rather than help the confirmation process.
Tillis emphasized that Cabinet nominees must be prepared for intense scrutiny, including personal matters from their past. He stressed the importance of nominees satisfying Republican members’ concerns with their responses to even the most challenging questions.
