Sen. Thom Tillis Faces an Early Trump Loyalty Test

Already censured by the North Carolina GOP for voting alongside Democrats, Tillis is staring down a politically treacherous last two years of his term.

Thom Tillis AP-22262555872219

Sen. Thom Tillis’ is up for reelection in 2026. Tom Williams/AP

Donald Trump’s controversial Cabinet selections are already making life difficult for Republican senators.

No one should know that better than Thom Tillis.

More than any other Senate Republican, the North Carolina lawmaker is stuck between the demands of a restive MAGA base and an expected reelection campaign in 2026 in which Democrats consider him a top electoral target.