In a candid interview held in Cornelius, North Carolina, U.S. Senator Thom Tillis opened up about his decision to retire from the Senate, his ongoing disagreements with former President Donald Trump, and the mounting pressures he has faced in recent years—including a disturbing number of death threats. The conversation comes at a turbulent time for national politics, as Tillis’ recent actions have placed him at the center of some of Washington’s most contentious debates.
Senator Tillis, a Republican representing North Carolina, announced his intention to retire earlier this summer. Speaking with host Tim Boyum on September 3, 2025, he reflected on the factors behind his decision. Among them, he cited the personal toll of political life, the increasingly hostile climate in Washington, and, notably, his opposition to sweeping Medicaid cuts that were included in a major legislative package signed by President Trump this summer. According to Spectrum News, Tillis revealed that he has received numerous death threats over the years—an experience that has weighed heavily on him and his family.
But retirement hasn’t meant retreat. In fact, Tillis has found himself embroiled in a high-stakes battle over the future of the Federal Reserve Board. Just last month, President Trump fired Lisa Cook from her post as a Fed governor, following allegations of mortgage fraud that were referred to the Department of Justice by Bill Pulte, a prominent MAGA influencer and the Trump-appointed director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency. Cook, who was originally appointed by former President Joe Biden, has since filed a lawsuit challenging her removal, arguing that the President lacks the authority to dismiss a Fed governor.
When asked about the controversy, Tillis was unequivocal in his stance. As a senior member of the Senate Banking Committee, his opinion carries significant weight—especially given the slim 13-11 Republican majority on the committee. "I’m not going to consider anybody until that’s been adjudicated," Tillis told reporters on Capitol Hill, as reported by Talking Points Memo. He elaborated further, saying, "I’m going to leave it to the courts to decide whether or not it’s legal." For Tillis, the issue is about more than just the fate of one nominee; it’s about preserving the independence of the Federal Reserve and resisting efforts to turn it into a political football.
"If in fact it is to be for cause, it’s dubious whether or not—even if these events are as they’ve been described—they’re a basis for cause. If it’s a move to really kind of create a partisan divide in the Fed, then I’m against it on that basis," Tillis explained to Politico. His refusal to advance any nominee to replace Cook until the courts resolve the matter has effectively stalled the Trump administration’s efforts to reshape the Fed’s leadership—a move that could have profound implications for monetary policy, including the President’s push to lower interest rates.
Tillis’ position is all the more remarkable given his recent break with Trump on several key issues. In addition to opposing the Medicaid cuts that were part of the "big, beautiful" bill signed into law this summer, he has also declared that he will not support any Trump nominees who have expressed support for the January 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol. "I have no interest in moves that would make the Fed really come under direct control of the executive branch," Tillis told Politico on September 3, 2025.
The senator’s willingness to challenge his own party—and the former president—has not gone unnoticed. As the New York Times reports, Cook remains an active governor on the Fed board until the courts issue a decision. Meanwhile, the accusations against her, as well as against other prominent Trump critics like Senator Adam Schiff and New York Attorney General Letitia James, are part of a broader pattern of political retribution that has raised concerns about the politicization of independent institutions.
For Tillis, the stakes are clear. He sees his role as a guardian of institutional integrity, even if it means standing alone. His decision not to seek reelection, announced earlier this summer, was shaped by his opposition to the Medicaid cuts and the death threats he’s endured—an experience that has become all too common for high-profile politicians in today’s polarized climate. "The personal toll is real," he admitted during his interview with Tim Boyum, as cited by Spectrum News. Tillis’ openness about the threats he has faced serves as a sobering reminder of the dangers and sacrifices that come with public service in the current era.
The controversy surrounding Lisa Cook’s dismissal is now making its way through the courts, with legal experts predicting that the matter could ultimately land before the Supreme Court. Tillis’ insistence on waiting for a judicial ruling before considering any replacement nominee has frustrated some in his party, who are eager to see the Fed’s board filled with allies more sympathetic to the administration’s agenda. But for Tillis, the principle of judicial review and the independence of the Federal Reserve outweigh any short-term political gains.
This episode is just the latest in a series of high-profile disputes between Tillis and Trump. While the senator has long been seen as a pragmatic conservative, willing to work across the aisle when necessary, his recent actions suggest a growing discomfort with the direction of his party. His refusal to support nominees linked to the January 6 attack and his opposition to Medicaid cuts have set him apart from many of his Republican colleagues. As Politico notes, these breaks with party orthodoxy have made him a target for criticism from the party’s right flank—but they have also earned him respect from those who value institutional norms and checks on executive power.
As the Senate awaits a court ruling on Cook’s status, the broader debate over the independence of the Federal Reserve and the limits of presidential power continues to simmer. Tillis’ stand may not change the outcome of the legal battle, but it has sent a clear message about the importance of process, principle, and the rule of law. In a political environment often dominated by partisanship and brinkmanship, his approach offers a rare glimpse of restraint and respect for the institutions that underpin American democracy.
With his retirement approaching, Tillis’ legacy is coming into focus—not as a firebrand or a partisan warrior, but as a senator willing to put country and constitution above party. As the legal and political drama around the Federal Reserve unfolds, his actions serve as a reminder that even in the most divisive times, there are those in Washington who remain committed to the fundamental values of American governance.
