Senator Tillis Voices Strong Opposition to Trump's Foreign Policy Appointments
Republican Senator Thom Tillis of North Carolina has delivered a pointed critique of President Donald Trump's decision to place Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff at the helm of critical foreign policy discussions involving Iran, Israel, and Russia. During an interview with ABC News' Jonathan Karl at the Council on Foreign Relations on Wednesday, Tillis expressed deep reservations about the selection.
Concerns Over Experience and Oversight
Tillis argued that the appointments "don't make any sense to me," highlighting that while Kushner, the president's son-in-law, and Witkoff, a billionaire real estate magnate, are accomplished in business, they lack the necessary foreign policy credentials and are not subject to Senate confirmation or congressional oversight. "I'm sure they're good negotiators, but they're not subject to Senate confirmation and they're not subject to oversight. So hopefully they've got some adults in the room who are," he stated.
The senator further questioned the logic of having the same two individuals simultaneously handle multiple high-stakes negotiations. "It is suspect that you can negotiate a Ukraine peace, an Iranian situation, a Gaza situation and whatever and be the same two people," Tillis remarked, underscoring the complexity and sensitivity of these international issues.
Background on the Appointments and Criticism
President Trump appointed Steve Witkoff as Special Envoy to the Middle East shortly after his victory in the 2024 presidential election. This move has faced backlash from prominent Democrats, including Senators Chris Murphy of Connecticut and Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, who have pointed to Witkoff's absence of foreign policy experience. In November of last year, Murphy and Warren announced an extension of an ethics investigation to examine whether Witkoff's overseas business dealings pose a conflict of interest with his diplomatic role.
The criticism comes as Kushner and Witkoff are actively engaged in negotiations with Iran to halt its nuclear weapons program. On Thursday morning, the duo was observed meeting with Omani Foreign Minister Badr bin Hamad Al Busaidi in Geneva, Switzerland, with Al Busaidi acting as an intermediary between the United States and Iran.
Political Context and Tillis's Stance
A frequent critic of President Trump, Senator Tillis is not seeking reelection at the conclusion of his second term this fall. His recent comments follow a previous clash with the president last month, when Tillis and Senator Lisa Murkowski of Alaska called for Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem to resign following the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti by Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers in Minneapolis. In response, Trump labeled Tillis and Murkowski as "losers" and "terrible senators."
Tillis responded to the insults with a touch of humor, telling CNN, "I am thrilled about that. That makes me qualified to be homeland security secretary and senior adviser to the president." This exchange highlights the ongoing tensions within the Republican Party and underscores Tillis's willingness to challenge the administration's decisions, particularly on matters of foreign policy and governance.
