Senator Thom Tillis of North Carolina appeared Sunday on CNN State of the Union and faulted Secretary of War Pete Hegseth for treating journalists poorly. Tillis said Hegseth had shown undue sensitivity by sidelining established reporters and substituting a friendly audience at the Pentagon.

Asked whether fellow Republicans privately share his view that Hegseth should leave office, Tillis cited mounting irritation over Hegseth giving little regard to the Senate role in confirming nominees.

Tillis said Hegseth should meet tough questions with solid replies, take charge, trust his own policies, and seek congressional backing so Americans will support operations meant to block an Iranian nuclear arsenal, stabilize the region, and protect Israel. He said those aims currently lack public support, which he called essential for success.