Senator Tillis turns on Noem and Miller, slams them as ‘sycophants’ in blistering critique

HUNTERSVILLE, NORTH CAROLINA: Senator Thom Tillis escalated his public break with the Trump administration on Friday, launching a pointed attack on Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and adviser Stephen Miller. He accused both of harming the president through blind loyalty and self-interest.

The remarks, posted in a lengthy thread on X, come as tensions within Republican ranks intensify over aggressive immigration enforcement actions in Minnesota.

Thom Tillis explains his accusation

“A sycophant is more than just a ‘yes-man,’” Tillis wrote, offering his own definition before naming names. “It refers to someone who acts excessively servile toward someone important in order to gain an advantage.”

“They aren’t just being nice,” he added. “They are using excessive flattery, often insincerely, to get what they want, whether that’s a promotion, social status or favor.”

Tillis singled out Miller first, likening him to Grima Wormtongue from 'The Lord of the Rings' - a character known for manipulating a king through whispered influence.

“He uses whispers and false flattery to control the King’s decisions, all while secretly serving Saruman,” Tillis wrote.

“He is a classic example of a sycophant who uses his position to poison a leader’s standing for his own benefit.”

Kristi Noem compared to a ‘bureaucratic bully’

The North Carolina Republican then turned his fire toward Noem, likening her to 'Harry Potter' villain Dolores Umbridge.

“She is terrifyingly sweet while she is around those she considers her superiors,” Tillis said, “and she sucks up to authority to gain the power she needs to bully those ‘beneath’ her.”

His comments arrive as the Department of Homeland Security faces intensifying scrutiny following aggressive immigration enforcement operations and raids in Minnesota that have included the fatal shootings of Minneapolis residents, Alex Pretti and Renee Good, in separate incidents in January.

Federal officials have insisted the agents acted in self-defense, while critics, including state officials and civil rights advocates, dispute those accounts and have called for an independent investigation into the use of force.

Fallout from Minnesota operation widens GOP rift 

Democrats have called for Noem’s resignation and threatened impeachment, while Tillis has joined those demands.

Trump, however, has continued to back Noem, who on Friday again criticized protesters rather than the conduct of federal officers.

“What Noem’s done in Minnesota should be disqualifying. She should be out of a job,” Tillis said earlier this week.

“It’s amateur-ish. It’s terrible. It’s making the president look bad on policy that he won on.”