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Former Senator Jeff Flake, one of the most vocal critics of President Donald Trump’s first administration, responded to Senator Tom Tillis’ plan on resignation on Sunday.
One of the most vulnerable Republicans of the 2026 cycle, Tillis faced a threat from Trump to support his challenger after Tillis voted against the president’s “big beautiful bill” on Saturday night.
In X’s post, Flake speculated that Tillis may have won reelection, but that’s only if he takes a certain position.
“He could win again, but only by taking a position he doesn’t believe in,” said Flake, who served as Turkish US ambassador during the Biden administration.
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Sen. Jeff Flake responded to Tillis’s retirement announcement with sympathy on Sunday. (Getty Images)
“It’s an honor to serve in the Senate, but it’s not making any sacrifices,” he added.
Tillis said on Sunday that he plans to retire at the end of his 2026 term. In a statement, the North Carolina Republicans mentioned “the biggest form of hypocrisy in American politics.”
“When people see independent thinking on the other side, they cheer them on,” Tillis said. “But when they see the independent thoughts that come from their side, they are corn, exiled, and even even blamed.”
“Over the past few years, it has become increasingly clear in Washington that leaders are willing to embrace bipartisanship, compromise and demonstrate that independent thinking is becoming an endangered species,” he added.
Tillis added that the choice broke by the time spent with his family and the time he navigated “political theatre and partisan gridlock” in Washington, D.C.
“That’s not a difficult choice. I’m not seeking reelection,” he said.
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Sen. Tom Tillis (R-NC) will depart from a luncheon with Senate Republicans at the U.S. Capitol on June 1, 2023 in Washington, D.C. (Anna Money Maker/Getty Images)
I-Vt. Senator Bernie Sanders also responded to Tillis’ announcement following criticism of Trump.
“I don’t really agree with NC Senator Tom Tillis, but he was right,” Sanders’s post began.
He said, “Trump’s Republicans don’t allow independent thinking. Republicans today are cults. You either want Trump or you go out.
On Saturday evening, Trump blasted Tillis as his “grandfather” and expressed interest in interviewing potential major challengers.
“Many people wanted to run the primary against Senator Tom Tillis,” Trump said in The Truth Society.
President Donald Trump will speak with reporters after announcing his trade deal with the UK at the White House’s oval office in Washington on Thursday, May 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
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“I will be meeting them over the next few weeks to find the great people of North Carolina and, importantly, the United States of America. Thank you for paying attention to this issue!” he added.
Alex Miller of Fox News Digital contributed to this report.
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