President Donald Trump sharply criticized Senator Thom Tillis of North Carolina after the Republican senator indicated that he would not support the confirmation of Todd Blanche as attorney general unless Blanche clearly condemned the individuals involved in the January 6, 2021, attack on the U.S.Capitol.

The exchange became public when reporters questioned Trump before he boarded Air Force One on June 5, 2026, while traveling to an event in Eau Claire, Wisconsin.

Responding to the question, Trump repeatedly attacked Tillis, calling him a 'loser' and claiming that the senator chose not to seek reelection because he lacked Trump's support.Trump also argued that Tillis was unpopular within the Senate and accused him of creating problems for political reasons.

During his remarks, Trump referenced previous disagreements between Tillis and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, portraying Tillis as an obstructionist figure within the Republican Party.Trump strongly defended Todd Blanche, describing him as highly respected and widely liked.Blanche previously served as Trump's personal attorney and was later appointed acting attorney general.

The dispute highlights ongoing divisions within the Republican Party regarding the legacy of the January 6 Capitol attack and the standards nominees should meet before receiving Senate confirmation.

Tillis, who is expected to leave office when his term ends in January 2027, has made condemnation of the January 6 rioters a key condition for supporting Blanche's nomination.

The controversy underscores the political challenges surrounding senior administration appointments and the continued significance of January 6 in congressional confirmation debates.