The Aporia · Republican Sen. Tillis calls his vote for Hegseth the 'biggest regret of my career' in a new book

In a new book titled "How to Lose Friends and Antagonize Presidents," Republican Senator Thom Tillis expresses deep regret over his vote to confirm Pete Hegseth as Defense Secretary in January 2025. Tillis also mentions that he should have prevented Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s confirmation as Health and Human Services secretary during President Trump’s second term. Despite initially not wanting to be the sole voice against Trump's nominees, Tillis now acknowledges doubts about Hegseth’s leadership qualities and personal conduct issues, which Hegseth has denied.

Written locally by qwen2.5:14b on 2026-10-05, using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the same event (that is the story summary below).

Story summary

In a new book titled "How to Lose Friends and Antagonize Presidents," Republican Sen. Thom Tillis of North Carolina expresses deep regret over his vote in January 2025 to confirm Pete Hegseth as Defense Secretary, calling it the "biggest regret of my career." Tillis also criticizes himself for not blocking Robert F. Kennedy Jr. from becoming Health and Human Services secretary during President Trump's second term. Although Tillis defended his initial decision at the time to avoid being a lone dissenter against Trump’s nominees, he now acknowledges skepticism about Hegseth’s management issues and personal conduct, which Hegseth has denied.

Written for “Tillis Political Regret” on 2026-10-05, grounded in this article and the 0 other(s) covering the same event.

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But he makes clear he was always skeptical about allegations about Hegseth’s turbulent management style, treatment of women and excessive drinking — all of which Hegseth denied.

left highlights negative aspects of a Republican nominee's behavior

Reading Leans left (beta estimate) Confidence medium

Leaning: leans left for article 58355 (medium confidence, 1 verified quote) · logged 2026-10-05

📰 Tillis Political Regret

Politics · 1 article(s) covering the same event.

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60 Minutes Transcript: Sen. Thom Tillis different event · 95%

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“The articles discuss different aspects of Senator Tillis's career and political stance, with one focusing on an interview for 60 Minutes and the other on his reflections in a new book.”

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Defense Health and Human Services North Carolina Republican WASHINGTON

Hegseth PERSON · 2× Defense ORG · 1× Donald Trump PERSON · 1× Health and Human Services ORG · 1× North Carolina GPE · 1× Pete Hegseth PERSON · 1× Republican NORP · 1× Robert F. Kennedy Jr. PERSON · 1× Thom Tillis PERSON · 1× WASHINGTON GPE · 1×

WASHINGTON (AP) — Republican Sen. Thom Tillis says in a new book that his deciding vote to confirm Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth in January 2025 is the “biggest regret of my career” and that he also “should’ve stopped” Robert F. Kennedy Jr. from becoming Health and Human Services secretary in the early days of President Donald Trump’s second term.

framing: assertive · carried by 1 article(s) · first seen 2026-10-05

2026-10-05 · Toronto Star

Republican Sen. Tillis calls his vote for Hegseth the 'biggest regret of my career' in a new book · assertive framing

WASHINGTON (AP) — Republican Sen. Thom Tillis says in a new book that his deciding vote to confirm Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth in January 2025 is the “biggest regret of my career” and that he also “should’ve stopped” Robert F. Kennedy Jr. from becoming Health and Human Services secretary in the early days of President Donald Trump’s second term. asserted

he → say → term

In “How to Lose Friends and Antagonize Presidents,” to be published Tuesday, the North Carolina senator defends his decision at the time to not be “the lone voice in the wilderness” preventing Trump’s nominees from confirmation. asserted

senator → lose → confirmation

But he makes clear he was always skeptical about allegations about Hegseth’s turbulent management style, treatment of women and excessive drinking — all of which Hegseth denied. asserted

Hegseth → make → which

Republican Sen. Tillis calls his vote for Hegseth the 'biggest regret of my career' in a new book

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