Overview
- Sen. Thom Tillis said Thursday he will oppose any attorney general nominee who excuses the January 6 attack, urging the White House to “take me at my word.”
- Because Republicans hold the Senate Judiciary Committee by one vote, his refusal to back a nominee can stop the panel from advancing the pick.
- Tillis’s warning applies to anyone tapped to replace ousted Attorney General Pam Bondi, and acting AG Todd Blanche remains only a potential contender since no formal nominee has been named.
- He has used similar leverage before, blocking Ed Martin over comments defending Jan. 6 rioters and delaying Kevin Warsh until the administration ended a Justice Department probe of Fed Chair Jerome Powell.
- Tillis urged fellow Republicans to adopt the same standard and criticized broad procedural holds as empty tactics.