Bloomberg Talks: Sen. Thom Tillis Talks Powell, Foreign Policy

Date: January 14, 2026
Host: Jeff (Bloomberg)
Guest: Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC), Senate Banking Committee, Senate Judiciary Committee

Episode Overview

This episode features Senator Thom Tillis in a wide-ranging conversation covering U.S. foreign policy tensions, congressional oversight, and the independence of the Federal Reserve. Senator Tillis addresses the administration's stances on Iran, the U.S.-Greenland controversy, Venezuela, and explosive developments involving Fed Chair Jay Powell, openly critiquing some White House advisors and elaborating on his own approach to advising President Trump.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. U.S.-Iran Relations and Military Tensions

• Violence Has Stopped?
  • The President claimed that violence and executions in Iran have ceased.
  • Tillis expresses skepticism:

    "This is a murderous regime that never stops killing. It's just a matter of how many, not whether or not they're pursuing it. So I'm very skeptical that something overnight could have actually occurred." (00:56)

• Skepticism on Overnight Change:
  • Tillis questions whether the situation could have changed so quickly, stressing the need for credible sources.

2. The Greenland Controversy and U.S. Foreign Policy

• Presidential Advice & Greenland Negotiations
  • Tillis is critical of the advice given to President Trump on Greenland:

    "We need people to make sure the president has a fully weighted set of criteria before he moves forward on some of these policies. I see no path where his aspiration for Greenland occurs unless it's a negotiation and something far short of what he has in mind." (01:34)

• Reassuring NATO Allies:
  • Addressing the fears stoked by one of the President’s advisers regarding U.S. intentions to annex Greenland:

    "An illegal taking of another territory and from a sovereign nation and a member of NATO, it's just not good advice. I’m going there to tell them there’s at least one branch of government that stands with the NATO alliance... Of course, we need to project power in the Arctic... Let's get there in a faster, more sustainable, less acrimonious way that strengthens the nation alliance, not putting it into question." (02:25–03:58)

• On Military Action:
  • Tillis offers a clear warning against unilateral military action:

    "If there is military action against Greenland, I will be one of the first people to file and co-sponsor a War Powers Resolution. It will pass." (04:19)

• Alliances Over Acquisition:
  • He outlines practical alternatives for U.S. interests in Greenland:

    "We could be there with an ally projecting power in a contested part of the world. And that's what I mean. It would cost us less money, it would produce less tumult and give us the same sort of capability. What is not to like about that plan?" (05:12)

3. Venezuela & War Powers

• Precision Operations vs. ‘War Powers’ Showdowns:
  • On the recent capture of Maduro:

    "I am thrilled with the precision and the exquisite execution of what it took to get Maduro and his wife into custody and now have to defend themselves in a court of law." (06:50)

  • Differentiates between the Greenland and Venezuela situations:

    "To me, it's a war powers resolution flexing a message that I don't agree with in the same week that I'm happy with what they did... In the future if boots go on the ground, of course we're going to have to have a war powers resolution." (06:33; 07:35)

  • Emphasizes the need for strategy:

    "If we really want Venezuela to be successful, we've got to have a long-term plan that goes far beyond this President so they can achieve what their real potential is in Venezuela." (07:36)

4. Federal Reserve Independence and the Jay Powell Controversy

• Prosecution Threat Against Powell:
  • Tillis is leading opposition against an idea floated about prosecuting Fed Chairman Jay Powell, calling it a dangerous precedent:

    "If suddenly threat of a lawsuit can take a chair out of play, how can anybody think that's anything more than a de facto ending the independence of the Fed? And we all know what that does to markets worldwide." (09:01)

• Blocking White House Nominees:
  • He vows to block appointments:

    "To be clear, I will block any effort to name any member of the Fed board until this matter is resolved." (09:36)

  • Resolution means withdrawal of charges or closing the case:

    "Withdrawn or it's either got to be fully adjudicated or they don't move forward with an indictment and they close the case and they explain reasons why..." (09:47)

  • Foresees market chaos if independence is undermined; characterizes the issue as bipartisan concern:

    "Look at former treasury secretaries. This is a bipartisan concern." (10:40)

• Powell’s Future:
  • Discusses possibility Powell might stay on as a regular governor until 2028.
  • Suggests Powell is likely to step down from the chairmanship after the matter is resolved.

5. Senator Tillis on His Role:

• Media Framing as a Check on Trump:
  • Tillis bristles at the media portrayal:

    "No, I don't...I am trying to...be a much better advisor to the President and disintermediate any, any thought in the press that when I agree with him...I'm only doing it because I'm afraid of my reelection prospects." (11:26–11:46)

• Relationship with President Trump:
  • Claims open, direct conversations and independence:

    "I care about how this president is remembered in history because a successful Republican president, in my opinion, is a successful nation." (12:18)

• On the President’s Advisors:
  • Suggests some are offering poor advice but notes many are competent:

    "Some people are giving the president advice is problematic and it's my job to speak truth and hopefully we'll maintain a good relationship. That's entirely up to the President." (12:54)

Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

• On Iranian Regime Change Claims:

  "I'm very skeptical that something overnight could have actually occurred. To have, to have gotten from thousands to zero just doesn't make sense to me." — Sen. Tillis (00:56)

• On U.S. Stance Toward Greenland:

  "An illegal taking of another territory...from a sovereign nation and a member of NATO, it's just not good advice. And I'm going there to tell them there’s at least one branch of government that stands with the NATO alliance." — Sen. Tillis (03:13)

• On Threats to Fed Independence:

  "If suddenly threat of a lawsuit can take a chair out of play, how can anybody think that that's anything more than a de facto ending the independence of the Fed? And we all know what that does to markets worldwide." — Sen. Tillis (09:01)

• On Blocking Fed Nominations:

  "I will block any effort to name any member of the Fed board until this matter is resolved." — Sen. Tillis (09:36)

• On His Independent Role:

  "I felt like I could be a much better resource to the President to check against some of the amateurish policies that he is pursuing by being completely independent to call balls and strikes...I care about how this president is remembered in history because a successful Republican president, in my opinion, is a successful nation." — Sen. Tillis (11:46–12:18)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:56 — Tillis on skepticism over Iran violence claims
• 01:34 — On presidential advisers giving poor advice (Greenland)
• 02:25–03:58 — U.S.-Greenland Policy; NATO alliance reassurance
• 04:19 — Will file War Powers Resolution if U.S. military acts against Greenland
• 06:33; 07:35 — Differentiating Venezuela and Greenland intervention logic
• 09:01 — Why prosecuting Powell threatens Fed independence
• 09:36 — Blocking Fed board nominations until issue resolved
• 10:40 — Bipartisan concern regarding Fed independence
• 11:46–12:54 — On his independence as an advisor, not just “checking Trump”

Conclusion

Senator Thom Tillis emerges in this episode as a forceful voice for congressional oversight and institutional integrity, drawing clear distinctions between legitimate executive authority and overreach on both foreign and fiscal policy. He criticizes "bad advice" given to President Trump, stands firmly against military adventurism or illegal land acquisition, and advocates for a strictly independent Federal Reserve. Throughout, he positions himself as an independent, pragmatic Republican—committed to supporting the president where possible but vocal and explicit in his opposition when core principles or U.S. alliances are threatened.