Sen. Thom Tillis, the outgoing North Carolina Republican, dismissed concerns about President Donald Trump potentially meddling in the midterm elections because, he said, “it’ll work itself out.”
In an interview with MS NOW’s Peter Alexander on Wednesday to promote his new book, Tillis suggested that fears of federal government interference are unwarranted.
“How confident are you that President Trump will not ask anyone to do anything illegal as it relates to these midterms, either the counting of the votes or the aftermath?” Alexander asked.
“It’ll work itself out,” Tillis said.
Asked why he has such confidence “given what we’ve seen,” Tillis responded, “Because Jan. 6 worked itself out.”
“Did it work itself out?” Alexander pressed.
“Sure did,” the senator said. “I went back into the chamber, and I did not leave the complex until we certified the election. It was a stress test.”
At least seven people died in connection with the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol riot, and approximately 150 law enforcement officers were injured. The Justice Department brought more than 1,200 criminal cases related to the riots in the years that followed, but Trump granted clemency or pardons to every one of them shortly after returning to office in 2025.
More articles
With Republicans fearing a landslide loss in November, Trump has gone to lengths to bend the odds in their favor. He has refused to rule out using the Insurrection Act, which would allow him to mobilize the U.S. military at home. His administration has made various efforts to make voting harder and more daunting, even while he offers cash payments to Americans for voting Republican.
And with congressional Republicans largely under his thumb, Trump faces little meaningful pushback from members of his own party.
Tillis has been one of a handful of Republicans who have publicly bucked Trump. After sustained attacks from Trump for opposing the president’s budget megabill, Tillis announced last year that he will retire after his term ends in January 2027.
With his congressional career now nearing its final lap, Tillis is promoting his newly released book, “How to Lose Friends and Antagonize Presidents.” In media interviews, Tillis has detailed parts of his book that address his concern about the growing power of the executive branch.
That concern does not appear to factor into his view about the midterm elections. Later in his interview with MS NOW on Wednesday, Tillis told Alexander he was willing to bet on the elections running smoothly.
“Why don’t we do a friendly bet? I’ll come back on your show and either admit I was wrong, or you can admit you were wrong,” Tillis said. “I think it will peacefully transfer, and it will be a non-thing.”
Clarissa-Jan Lim is a breaking news reporter for MS NOW. She was previously a senior reporter and editor at BuzzFeed News.
Become a Member to join the conversation