Republican Senator Thom Tillis of North Carolina has launched a blistering attack on Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth over his management of the ongoing conflict with Iran, asserting that the Pentagon chief's performance makes Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem appear to be a "five-star recruit."
Tillis Criticizes Hegseth's Iran Strategy
Speaking on CNN's State of the Union on Sunday, Tillis, who is retiring at the end of his current term in January, expressed deep concerns about the direction of the war and the reported peace deal being negotiated by the Trump administration. He highlighted inconsistencies in Hegseth's statements, particularly the claim that the U.S. had "obliterated" Iran's defenses, which now seems contradicted by the terms of the emerging agreement.
"When you see these mistakes made by Hegseth…With all of these mistakes in total, it's beginning to make Kristi Noem look like a five-star recruit," Tillis remarked, drawing a pointed comparison to Noem's controversial tenure.
Details of the Iran Deal
The reported deal would involve the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, a vital waterway through which approximately 20 percent of the world's oil passes. Its closure has contributed to soaring gas prices, which surpassed $4.50 per gallon on Sunday, according to AAA. While the deal is said to be largely negotiated, Iran has not yet agreed to relinquish its uranium stockpile.
Tillis questioned the logic of the administration's apparent shift, noting that just 11 weeks ago, Hegseth and the Department of Defense claimed they had "obliterated Iran's defenses and it was just a matter of time before we had the nuclear material." Now, the administration appears willing to accept the nuclear material remaining in Iran.
Hegseth's Broader Criticism
Hegseth has faced intense scrutiny throughout his tenure as Defense Secretary, particularly regarding the Iran war. Earlier this month, he was grilled by lawmakers from both parties about the administration's exit strategy and the estimated $29 billion cost of the conflict.
Tillis, who voted to confirm both Hegseth and Noem last year, has been a vocal critic of Noem as well. In March, during a Senate Judiciary Committee oversight hearing, he called for her resignation over her leadership in immigration enforcement in Minneapolis, which resulted in the deaths of two U.S. citizens at the hands of federal agents. He also criticized her for killing her 14-month-old dog, an incident she detailed in her 2024 memoir.
As a frequent critic of President Donald Trump, Tillis has announced he will not seek re-election and will retire when his term ends in January 2027.
