Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., has taken a bold stand by blocking President Donald Trump’s Department of Homeland Security (DHS) nominees until Secretary Kristi Noem agrees to testify before the Senate Judiciary Committee.
This move comes after two formal requests from the committee chairman, sent in June and September, went unanswered by Noem, prompting Tillis to place holds on future DHS nominations, though he noted exceptions may be considered for disaster response measures.
The issue has sparked debate among Senate Republicans, especially as hundreds of Trump’s picks have been confirmed at a brisk pace recently, according to Fox News.
While Tillis has made it clear that his blockade isn’t tied to the tragic shooting of Renee Nicole Goode by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent this week, his frustration with Noem’s silence is palpable.
One has to wonder if this is less about scheduling conflicts and more about avoiding tough questions on DHS policies.
Noem, who spoke at a press conference in New York City on January 8, 2026, has yet to commit to facing the Senate Judiciary Committee, despite the repeated invitations.
Tillis didn’t mince words on the matter, declaring, “My chairman has made two requests in this Congress to have the Homeland Security Secretary [Kristi Noem] come before the committee, and they have yet to confirm that they're coming.”
“That is unacceptable, and so I am putting a hold on anything related to Homeland Security measures until we get an agreement and a scheduled time to come for committee at the least,” he added, signaling a no-nonsense approach to accountability.
Tillis did offer a sliver of flexibility, stating, “The only thing that moves through Homeland Security where I will consider an exception would be having anything to do with the disaster response.”
That’s a reasonable carve-out, but it also underscores how serious he is about holding the line on everything else until Noem steps up.
After all, if disaster relief is the only priority worth bending for, shouldn’t transparency from DHS leadership be just as urgent?
This isn’t the first time Tillis has pushed back against the Trump administration, having previously opposed key legislative efforts like the major bill tied to Medicaid cuts last year.
He’s also been vocal about misguided ideas floating around, such as the suggestion of using military force to control Greenland, and has openly criticized administration officials for such distractions from Trump’s broader agenda.
While Tillis, who isn’t seeking re-election, voted against a recent resolution limiting Trump’s military actions in Venezuela, his occasional willingness to break ranks shows a senator unafraid to challenge even his own party when principle demands it.
