North Carolina Sen. Thom Tillis unloaded on Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth Sunday, telling reporters the embattled Cabinet member has given President Trump dangerously poor advice on Iran and makes even Kristi Noem’s brief, troubled tenure look competent by comparison.
The Republican senator’s blistering assessment comes as Hegseth faces mounting pressure over his handling of escalating tensions with Tehran. Tillis didn’t mince words, saying Hegseth “makes Kristi Noem look like a five-star recruit” — a reference to the former Homeland Security secretary who left the administration earlier this year after a disastrous few months in office.
The public rebuke from a member of Trump’s own party signals deepening fractures within the GOP over military and foreign policy strategy. Tillis, who sits on the Senate Armed Services Committee, rarely breaks ranks with Republican leadership on national security matters, making his Sunday comments all the more striking.
Hegseth, a former Fox News host and Army National Guard veteran, took over the Pentagon with limited executive experience. His confirmation hearing drew skepticism from defense hawks in both parties, but he ultimately secured Senate approval on a party-line vote. Now, months into the job, those early concerns appear to be materializing.
The senator’s criticism centers on Hegseth’s Iran strategy, though Tillis did not elaborate on specific policy recommendations he considers flawed. Relations with Iran have deteriorated in recent months, with increased maritime incidents in the Persian Gulf and renewed concerns about nuclear development.
For Republican senators facing reelection, the political calculus is delicate. Trump remains enormously popular with the base, but voters also expect results — particularly on national security. A Cabinet secretary who appears out of his depth creates vulnerability, especially if allies like Tillis feel compelled to distance themselves publicly.
The comparison to Noem stings particularly because her departure was widely viewed as one of the administration’s most embarrassing personnel failures. She lasted just four months before resigning amid bipartisan criticism of her department’s performance.
Neither the White House nor the Defense Department responded to requests for comment on Tillis’s remarks. The silence suggests the administration may be calculating whether to defend Hegseth or let him twist in the wind.
For voters worried about American strength abroad and whether their tax dollars are funding competent leadership, Tillis’s warning shot matters. When a senator from your own party says you’re worse than the previous disaster, the clock starts ticking.
Key Points
- Republican Sen. Thom Tillis publicly criticized Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, saying he’s given Trump bad advice on Iran
- Tillis compared Hegseth unfavorably to Kristi Noem, who resigned after just four months as Homeland Security secretary
- The rare public rebuke from a GOP senator suggests growing concern within Trump’s own party about Pentagon leadership
https://nypost.com/2026/05/25/us-news/gop-sen-tillis-flames-hegseth-makes-kristi-noem-look-like-a-five-star-recruit/ – May 25, 2026
