Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., told NBC News’ “Meet the Press” on Sunday that President Donald Trump’s decision to ease sanctions on Russia to allow it to market diesel fuel on the global market could violate the law.
“I believe there are legitimate arguments that the president is not following the law,” Tillis said.
Trump announced in an article on Truth Social on Friday that Russia would “immediately supply” hundreds of thousands of tons of diesel fuel to the global market, with more than a million tons more on the way soon. The move drew strong condemnation from Ukraine and critics of the Trump administration.
After Russia invaded Ukraine, lawmakers took a series of steps to try to financially punish the Kremlin. In 2022, the Senate unanimously passed a bill banning imports of Russian oil, and Congress made no changes to the law to reflect the president’s announcement.
Asked by moderator Kristen Welker if he thought the president was breaking the law with his Russia deal, Tillis responded, “I believe that’s possible.”
“We have been very clear that Russia is the aggressor,” he added. “It is Russia that can end this war by withdrawing the territories it occupied.”
The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the senator’s remarks.
Tillis referenced the year-end negotiations over congressional funding when asked what the Senate might do if Tillis thought Trump was breaking the law.
“If the president wants my support, which he should get to fund military operations and year-end funding beyond base funding, I think the president needs to understand that this is a problem, and I’m not the only Republican concerned about this,” he said.
Asked if Trump’s deal with Russian President Vladimir Putin put American lives at risk, Tillis said, “It absolutely does,” pointing to Russian funding of mercenaries and the Kremlin’s relationship with Iran.
Tillis has just a few months left before his term expires. His retirement from the Senate created a high-profile battlefield opening. Democrats view his seat as a prime target to flip as they seek to take control of the chamber.
Tillis has been highly critical of aspects of the Trump administration, including Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s performance. Tillis, who voted to confirm Hegseth, now says he regrets his vote.
Tillis on Sunday condemned the Pentagon’s plan to livestream the execution by firing squad of Nidal Hasan, convicted of the 2009 mass shooting at Fort Hood, Texas.
Tillis said livestreaming plans would radicalize people and be used by terrorist groups as a recruiting tool.
“The Fort Hood shooter should be put to death, but there is an appropriate way to handle this, and there is a way to handle this that is more inappropriate than I have ever seen in my life,” he said.
“That’s not who we are, and this is another example of why Pete Hegseth, in all his bravado, needs to get rid of the Department of Defense, because he is a failed leader, and we need strong leadership to support President Trump right now,” he added.
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