Trump calls Thom Tillis 'a loser' as clash erupts over AG nominee Todd Blanche

WASHINGTON, DC:  A growing Republican war burst into public view on Friday, June 5, when President Donald Trump unloaded on Sen Thom Tillis after the North Carolina lawmaker signaled he could oppose Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche's nomination.

The confrontation began over Blanche's stance on the January 6 Capitol riot but quickly spiraled into a personal feud, with Trump questioning Tillis' political standing and accusing the senator of trying to create trouble for the administration.

Trump blasts Thom Tillis

Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump did not hold back when asked about Tillis' criticism of Blanche. 

“Sen Tillis is a loser. He didn’t run because I wouldn’t support him,” Trump said, before escalating further.

“He’s just an angry man because he’s not going to be a senator any longer. He wasn’t respected in the Senate. He fought a lot of people,” the president added.

“He fought Pete Hegseth. Pete Hegseth turned out to be a gem. He was forced to leave the Senate because I wouldn’t support him, and he quit,” he said.

Trump also argued that Tillis was attempting to derail administration priorities out of frustration over his political future. In contrast, he strongly defended Blanche, calling him “a brilliant guy who everybody likes and everybody respects.”

The remarks came after Tillis suggested Blanche's confirmation could face serious obstacles if he fails to draw a clear line regarding the January 6 attack on the Capitol.

The clash instantly transformed what had been a nomination fight into a highly personal battle between the president and one of the GOP's most outspoken independent voices.

Todd Blanche's confirmation fight heats up

Tillis' warning centered on whether Blanche would condemn those who assaulted police officers during the Capitol riot.

“The key for Todd or for anybody going through the Judiciary Committee is being pretty tight on January 6th,” Tillis had said earlier.

He went even further, saying, “They better not have said for one minute that the people who beat up police officers were righteous people.”

The senator made it clear that any nominee appearing to excuse violence against law enforcement would struggle to earn his support. 

While Blanche has become one of Trump's most trusted figures at the Justice Department, Tillis' comments highlighted lingering divisions within the Republican Party over January 6.

Tillis has sided against the White House on a number of high-profile votes and has developed a reputation as an unpredictable voice within the Republican conference.

His willingness to push back has become even more noticeable since announcing he would not seek another term.