Outgoing Senator Tillis Vows to Block AG Nominee Over Jan. 6 Views

Tillis says he won't support any nominee who doesn't condemn the Capitol protest as 'inexcusable'

Apr. 7, 2026 at 10:07am

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A fragmented, abstract painting in red, white, and blue hues depicting a political symbol like a gavel, conveying a sense of political discord and division.The partisan battle over the Capitol protest threatens to disrupt the transition of power at the highest levels of government.Minneapolis Today

Sen. Thom Tillis (R-NC), who is not running for re-election, has vowed to block any nominee President Trump puts forward to replace outgoing Attorney General Pam Bondi unless the nominee unequivocally condemns the events of January 6, 2021 as 'inexcusable'. Tillis has taken an uncompromising stance, saying he will not support any nominee who 'excuses' any element of the Capitol protest, which he views as a grave threat to American democracy.

Why it matters

Tillis' hardline position on January 6th threatens to create a standoff with the Trump administration over the crucial position of Attorney General. His unwillingness to move past the Capitol protest, which he sees as a dark stain on American history, could make it difficult for the president to fill the AG vacancy, potentially hampering the administration's agenda during Tillis' final months in office.

The details

In a CNN interview, Tillis asserted that 'the threshold for somebody following Pam Bondi ends the moment I hear they said one thing that excused the event of January the 6th.' He went on to reiterate that he would not support any nominee 'who thought that any element of January 6th was excused [sic].' Tillis' hardline stance suggests he views the Capitol protest as an unforgivable attack on American democracy, and he is willing to use his position as a senator to block any nominee who does not share his condemnation of the events of that day.

  • Tillis has served in the U.S. Senate since 2015 and is not running for re-election.
  • Pam Bondi is the current Attorney General, but is expected to step down soon.

The players

Thom Tillis

A Republican senator from North Carolina who has served in the U.S. Senate since 2015. He is not running for re-election and is taking a hardline stance against any nominee for Attorney General who does not condemn the events of January 6, 2021 as 'inexcusable'.

Pam Bondi

The current Attorney General of the United States, who is expected to step down from the position soon.

Donald Trump

The President of the United States, who will be nominating a replacement for the outgoing Attorney General Pam Bondi.

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What they’re saying

“For me, the threshold for somebody following Pam Bondi ends the moment I hear they said one thing that excused the event of January the 6th.”

— Thom Tillis, U.S. Senator

“I hope whoever they have in mind to follow General Bondi, was very clear-eyed on my position on January the 6th. I will not support anybody who thought that any element of January 6th was excused [sic].”

— Thom Tillis, U.S. Senator

What’s next

The Senate will hold confirmation hearings for President Trump's nominee to replace outgoing Attorney General Pam Bondi. Tillis has vowed to block any nominee who does not unequivocally condemn the events of January 6, 2021, setting up a potential showdown with the administration.

The takeaway

Tillis' hardline stance on January 6th threatens to create a partisan standoff over the crucial position of Attorney General, potentially hampering the Trump administration's agenda during Tillis' final months in office. His unwillingness to move past the Capitol protest underscores the deep divisions within the Republican Party over how to address that day's events.