By Trendsetter Tribune 
It’s a fascinating moment in the Senate when a Republican lawmaker decides that the “Maverick” lifestyle is more rewarding than party discipline. Frank Bruni’s February 9 column captures what appears to be a total transformation for North Carolina’s Thom Tillis, who has pivoted from a cautious Trump ally to one of the administration’s most vocal internal critics.
The Spark of the “Going Rogue” Phase
The catalyst for Tillis’ recent “sassing and smiling” appears to be the Department of Justice’s investigation into Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell. While many in his party have remained quiet, Tillis used his appearance on CNBC’s Squawk Box to launch a verbal broadside against the administration, labeling the probe:
- “Frivolous”
- “Vindictive”
- “Trumped-up”
Tillis has gone as far as threatening to block all Federal Reserve nominees—including Trump’s pick for Chair, Kevin Warsh—until the investigation into Powell is dropped. For a member of the Senate Banking Committee, this is the ultimate “rogue” power move, effectively grinding the administration’s economic appointments to a halt.+1
A Contrast in Departures: Tillis vs. Greene
The column highlights a stark contrast in how high-profile Republicans are handling their fallout with the President:
| Feature | Marjorie Taylor Greene (GA) | Thom Tillis (NC) |
| Action | Resigned from Congress (Jan 5, 2026). | Serving out his full term. |
| Primary Driver | Public feud over the Epstein files and foreign policy. | Frustration with “lawfare” and party direction. |
| Strategy | Left to avoid a “hateful primary” after Trump pulled his endorsement. | Utilizing his final year to obstruct and criticize policies he dislikes. |
| Vibe | “Disappointed” and “marginalized.” | “Having a blast” and “going rogue.” |
The “Partial Liberation” of 2026
Bruni’s assessment that Tillis is experiencing a “liberation of conscience” comes with a healthy dose of skepticism. As a lame-duck senator not seeking reelection in the upcoming midterms, Tillis is essentially bulletproof. He no longer fears a primary challenge from the “MAGA faithful,” allowing him to reconnect with his earlier reputation as a pragmatic dealmaker who once worked across the aisle on immigration and same-sex marriage.
Whether this is a genuine change of heart or a calculated move to secure a legacy as a “sane” Republican for the post-Trump era remains a subject of debate among D.C. insiders. For now, however, it seems Tillis is content to spend his final months in office wielding his “thesaurus and movie glossary” to make sure his exit is anything but quiet.