{"id":2584668,"date":"2026-03-27T17:22:59","date_gmt":"2026-03-27T21:22:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/tillis-criticizes-both-parties-on-shutdown-and-questions-trumps-iran-policy\/"},"modified":"2026-03-27T17:26:12","modified_gmt":"2026-03-27T21:26:12","slug":"tillis-criticizes-both-parties-on-shutdown-and-questions-trumps-iran-policy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/tillis-criticizes-both-parties-on-shutdown-and-questions-trumps-iran-policy\/","title":{"rendered":"Tillis criticizes both parties on shutdown and questions Trump&#8217;s Iran policy"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"float:left\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">22<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Ftillis-criticizes-both-parties-on-shutdown-and-questions-trumps-iran-policy%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2584668&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>Sen. thom tillis (R-NC) delivered a blunt critique of Washington\u2019s gridlock and the Iran policy at a Ripon Society luncheon, urging a clearer White house strategy and signaling that lawmakers may need to cancel recess until a deal is reached. He argued that Republicans are not winning the shutdown narrative and that democrats will not take the blame, insisting that governing majorities must deliver results.<\/p>\n<p>On foreign policy, Tillis warned that the administration must clarify its objectives in Iran as U.S. troop deployments increase, pointing to the limits of the War Powers Resolution and the approaching 60-day mark. He noted that thousands of U.S. troops, including from the 82nd Airborne in North Carolina, are headed to the region and stressed the importance of strong coordination with allies rather than acting alone.As a NATO observer, he pushed back on rhetoric toward allies and said long-term relationships remain intact. He also mentioned his impending retirement from the Senate at the end of the year after <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/your-tax-dollars-pay-for-millionaire-democrats-swanky-d-c-apartments\/\" title=\"Tax dollars fund luxurious D.C. apartments for wealthy Democrats.\">facing political backlash<\/a> from President Trump.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">Thom Tillis warns on Iran strategy, slams both parties as shutdown drags on<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_2544960\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p>Sen. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/thom-tillis\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"973\">Thom Tillis<\/a> (R-NC) delivered a <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/youtube.com\/watch?v=Hd6UgFCFd_A&amp;feature=youtu.be\" type=\"link\" id=\"youtube.com\/watch?v=Hd6UgFCFd_A&amp;feature=youtu.be\">blunt assessment<\/a> of <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/congress\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"31\">Congress&rsquo;s<\/a> gridlock and the war with <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/iran\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"100\">Iran <\/a>on Thursday, criticizing leaders in both parties while calling for a clearer strategy from the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/white-house\/\">White House<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Speaking at a luncheon hosted by the Ripon Society, Tillis said <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/gop-lawmakers-warn-biden-against-lifting-iran-sanctions\/\" title=\"GOP ... ...n Biden Against Lifting Iran Sanctions\">lawmakers remain<\/a> at an impasse over funding the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/department-of-homeland-security\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"3083\">Department of Homeland Security<\/a>, with no clear resolution in sight.<\/p>\n<div class=\"recommended-stories\">\n<h2>Recommended Stories<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/white-house\/4506425\/vance-task-force-fraud-restore-social-trust-programs\/\">Vance kicks off <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >anti-fraud task force aimed<\/a> at stopping &#8216;theft&#8217; of taxpayer money<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/senate\/4502479\/senate-gop-down-payment-save-america-act-party-line-bill\/\">Senate GOP to make &lsquo;down payment&rsquo; on SAVE America Act with party-line bill<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/state\/4502369\/uber-campaign-donations-california-governor\/\">Uber backs two Democrats and one Republican for California governor<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>&ldquo;If you&rsquo;re wondering what&rsquo;s going to happen, nobody knows &mdash; including the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/donald-trump-ends-negotiations-with-nancy-pelosi-on-coronavirus-relief\/\" title=\"Donald Trump Ends Negotiations with Nancy Pelosi on Coronavirus Relief\">majority leader<\/a>,&rdquo; Tillis said, adding that senators should be prepared to cancel recess until a deal is reached.<\/p>\n<p>He dismissed partisan finger-pointing around the shutdown, arguing <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/republican\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"926\">Republicans<\/a> are not winning the political battle even as they hold power.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;If any of you believe Republicans are winning the shutdown argument &hellip; it&rsquo;s not real,&rdquo; he said. He added that governing majorities have a responsibility to deliver results. &ldquo;When you&rsquo;re the boss, figure out how to get it done,&rdquo; he said.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Tillis also took aim at Democrats, suggesting they would avoid blame regardless of the outcome, including Senate Minority Leader <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/chuck-schumer\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"384\">Chuck Schumer<\/a> (D-NY).&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;If Chuck Schumer walked down to the well of the Senate and said, &lsquo;I am responsible for this shutdown&rsquo; &hellip; Republicans would still get blamed for it,&rdquo; he said.<\/p>\n<p>Turning to foreign policy, Tillis warned that the administration must soon clarify its objectives in Iran as U.S. troop deployments increase. He pointed to the limits of the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/war-powers-resolution\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"2577\">War Powers Resolution<\/a>, which allows the president to conduct military operations for a limited period without congressional approval.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;As you get closer to that 60-day mark &hellip; you better start being very clear on what your strategic and tactical objectives are,&rdquo; he said, noting the deployment of thousands of U.S. troops, including forces tied to North Carolina.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;For me, it&rsquo;s personal because we have a thousand soldiers from the 82nd Airborne headed that way, and we have some 8,000 Marines headed that way,&rdquo; he said. <\/p>\n<p>The <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/north-carolina\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"552\">North Carolina<\/a> Republican emphasized that any sustained conflict would require strong coordination with allies.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;It&rsquo;s time to start being respectful to our allies,&rdquo; Tillis said. &ldquo;If you intend to have a sustained engagement in Iran, it&rsquo;s not going to go well if you try and go it alone.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Drawing on his role with the Senate&rsquo;s <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/nato\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"603\">NATO <\/a>observer group, Tillis pushed back on recent rhetoric toward allied nations, explicitly calling out President <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/donald-trump\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"4\">Donald Trump<\/a>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;There&rsquo;s a certain amount of latitude that the president&rsquo;s getting in terms of his rhetoric,&rdquo; the senator said. &ldquo;Vast majorities of the House and Senate do not agree with the rhetoric with respect to our partners and allies,&rdquo; Tillis said, adding that long-term relationships remain intact despite political tensions.<\/p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/house\/4502081\/four-obstacles-second-reconciliation-bill\/\"><strong>FOUR POSSIBLE OBSTACLES TO A SECOND RECONCILIATION BILL<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Last year, Tillis received sharp backlash from the president after voting against advancing Trump&rsquo;s One Big Beautiful Bill Act. In retaliation, Trump threatened to back a primary challenge to Tillis in the 2026 midterm election.<\/p>\n<p>Tillis announced he would retire from the Senate at the end of this year, shortly after the president&rsquo;s statement.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Paraphrase:<br \/>\n&#8211; Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., criticized Congress for its gridlock over funding the Department of Homeland Security and urged the White House to present a clearer Iran strategy as U.S. forces tighten their deployments. Speaking at a Ripon Society luncheon, he said there\u2019s no clear path to resolution and suggested lawmakers may need to cancel recess until a deal is reached. He argued that blaming each other for the shutdown is counterproductive and that Republicans aren\u2019t winning the political fight despite holding power. Tillis also accused Democrats of avoiding accountability no matter the outcome, and he stressed that any prolonged Iran engagement would require strong coordination with allies. He highlighted the War Powers Resolution\u2019s time limits and noted thousands of U.S. troops, including personnel from North Carolina, are heading toward the region, making the issue personal for him. He urged respectful cooperation with allies and warned that going it alone would be unfavorable if the conflict extends. From his NATO observer role, he pushed back on aggressive rhetoric toward allies by the president, saying the majority in both chambers disagree with such rhetoric, though long-term alliances remain intact. The piece also references Tillis\u2019s earlier clash with President Trump over a policy vote, Trump\u2019s threat to back a primary challenge in 2026, and Tillis\u2019s announcement that he would retire at year\u2019s end.<\/p>\n<p>55-character headline (\u226455 chars):<br \/>\nTillis blasts gridlock, calls for Iran plan<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4195,"featured_media":2584669,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/AP26016773473187.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651,538],"tags":[3667,76074,5123,7122,3634],"class_list":["post-2584668","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","category-washington-examiner","tag-bipartisan","tag-iran-policy-2","tag-shutdown","tag-tillis","tag-trump"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/AP26016773473187.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2584668","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4195"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2584668"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2584668\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2584672,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2584668\/revisions\/2584672"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2584669"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2584668"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2584668"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2584668"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}