Senator says retiring lawmakers can speak more directly

Sen. Thom Tillis (R-NC) said on Sunday that Republicans no longer worried about reelection have the freedom to more openly criticize officials and their allies. Speaking on CNN’s State of the Union, Tillis joked that lawmakers no longer facing voters can finally drop the political “filter” that shapes many public comments.

“You know what I try to tell everybody, folks, if you’re not running for reelection, then that one filter that you need to make sure your words are measured, so that the Democrats can’t use it against you, and maybe some Republicans, you’ve just got to have that extra filter,” Tillis said.

“And I’m telling you, it’s great not having it,” he said.

attorney general Tillis then turned directly to Attorney General Ken Paxton (R-TX), delivering a sharp rebuke of the conservative firebrand and Trump ally. “And I’m being unambiguous on Paxton,” Tillis said. “He is a failure. He doesn’t deserve to be in the U.S. Senate.” Tillis’s comments come after he announced he would not seek reelection in 2026.

Texas senator In his CNN interview, Tillis also contrasted Paxton with Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX), whom he described as one of the Senate GOP’s most effective and respected members. “John Cornyn is one of the most powerful, one of the most influential, one of the most patriotic members I’ve had the privilege to serve with over the last 11 years,” Tillis said.

Thom Tillis (R-NC) on social media Thursday, telling the senator to “go to Hell”.