“I will vote for Kevin Warsh simultaneously with the conclusion of that statement [about an end to the probe] coming out of the DOJ, and not a day before, and not for the remaining 264 days in my tenure in the U.S. Senate,” Tillis said Wednesday.
I will not vote to confirm Kevin Warsh as Federal Reserve Chair until the DOJ concludes its probe into Jerome Powell.
Occurrences
Tillis has said he would not vote to confirm a new Fed chair until the legal issues involving Powell are settled.
Tillis ... continues to block the nomination of Kevin Warsh, Trump’s pick to lead the Federal Reserve, because he objects to the justice department investigating the central bank’s current chair, Jerome Powell.
I will oppose the confirmation of any Federal Reserve nominee, including for the position of Chairman, until the DOJ’s inquiry into Chairman Powell is fully and transparently resolved.
Tillis said during a Senate Committee on Banking hearing Tuesday morning that he believes Kevin Warsh is qualified for the job, but that an investigation into Chairman Jerome Powell needs to end.
the North Carolina Republican told Warsh on Tuesday as the nominee testified before the Senate Banking Committee. Tillis celebrated Warsh’s “impeccable” credentials. “I love your opening statement. I love your focus on the independence of the Fed,” Tillis said. “I love the idea of Fed independence with respect to achieving the dual mandate.” Though Tillis said Warsh is the perfect candidate, he said he is unwilling to vote for him during a criminal investigation into Powell’s construction of the Fed headquarters going over budget.
With these assurances, I look forward to supporting Kevin Warsh’s confirmation.
Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., said Tuesday he will continue to block Kevin Warsh's confirmation to lead the Federal Reserve... "If we want to get Mr. Warsh confirmed, we need to drop the investigation," Tillis added, saying it could be done in "five minutes" and urging the DOJ to act.
One potential roadblock is Sen. Thom Tillis, a Republican from North Carolina who previously said he wouldn't approve the nomination until the Department of Justice concludes an investigation into Powell.
I will oppose any Fed nominee until the Powell investigation is resolved.
Sen. Thom Tillis ... confirmed Tuesday that he would continue to block any Fed chair appointment until the Department of Justice concludes its criminal probe into Fed Chair Jerome Powell.
Evidence
Senator Thom Tillis stated, 'I will oppose the confirmation of any Federal Reserve nominee, including for the position of Chairman, until the DOJ’s inquiry into Chairman Powell is fully and transparently resolved.'
During a Senate Banking Committee hearing, Senator Tillis reiterated his stance, stating he will not confirm President Trump's nominee to lead the Federal Reserve unless the investigation into Chairman Powell is dropped.
Senator Tillis praised Kevin Warsh's credentials but maintained that he will not support Warsh's nomination during the ongoing criminal investigation into Chairman Powell.
Senator Tillis stated he will continue to block Kevin Warsh's confirmation to lead the Federal Reserve, arguing the process cannot move forward amid an ongoing Justice Department investigation involving Fed Chair Jerome Powell.
Senator Thom Tillis previously said he wouldn't approve the nomination until the Department of Justice concludes an investigation into Powell.
Senator Thom Tillis confirmed he would continue to block any Fed chair appointment until the Department of Justice concludes its criminal probe into Fed Chair Jerome Powell.
Senator Thom Tillis stated, 'I will oppose any Fed nominee until the Powell investigation is resolved.'
Senator Tillis said he will continue to block Kevin Warsh's confirmation to lead the Federal Reserve after a heated hearing, arguing the process cannot move forward amid an ongoing Justice Department investigation involving Fed Chair Jerome Powell.
“My position has not changed: I will oppose the confirmation of any Federal Reserve nominee, including for the position of Chairman, until the DOJ’s inquiry into Chairman Powell is fully and transparently resolved.”
“Appealing the ruling will only delay the confirmation of Kevin Warsh as the next Fed Chair.”
The Senate Banking Committee scheduled a hearing for Tuesday, April 21, 2026, on the nomination of Kevin Warsh to be Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System.
“With these assurances, I look forward to supporting Kevin Warsh’s confirmation.”
Vote Date: May 13, 2026, 01:59 PM ... Question: On the Nomination (Confirmation: Kevin Warsh, of Florida, to be Chairman of the Board of Governors, Federal Reserve Board) ... Tillis (R-NC), Yea ... Vote Result: Nomination Confirmed.
“I have been clear from the start: the U.S. Attorney’s Office criminal investigation into Chair Powell was a serious threat to the Fed’s independence, and it needed to end before I could support Kevin Warsh’s confirmation.” ... “With these assurances, I look forward to supporting Kevin Warsh’s confirmation.”
The Senate roll call for May 13, 2026 lists the question as the confirmation of Kevin Warsh and records Tillis (R-NC) as voting Yea; the vote result was Nomination Confirmed.
Tillis said the DOJ investigation into Chair Powell had to end before he could support Warsh, stated he took DOJ at its word that the investigation was closed, and said he looked forward to supporting Warsh's confirmation.
The Federal Reserve Board biography states that Kevin Warsh took office as chairman on May 22, 2026, for a four-year term ending May 21, 2030, and also serves as chairman of the Federal Open Market Committee.
The Senate roll call records the May 13, 2026 nomination vote on Kevin Warsh to be Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System as confirmed, 54 yeas to 45 nays, with Tillis (R-NC) voting Yea.
The Senate vote menu lists Warsh-related votes on May 11-13, including confirmation as a Federal Reserve Board member on May 12 and confirmation as Federal Reserve Board Chairman on May 13.
The Wall Street Journal reported that the Justice Department would end its criminal investigation into Jerome Powell, removing a major obstacle to confirming Kevin Warsh, and noted Tillis had vowed to block Warsh's nomination until the investigation ended.
The Washington Post reported that Tillis announced support for advancing Kevin Warsh's nomination after the Justice Department decided to close its criminal investigation into Jerome Powell; it also reported Tillis had previously blocked Warsh's confirmation over concerns about the probe.
Assessments
Tillis promised not to vote to confirm Kevin Warsh as Federal Reserve Chair until the DOJ probe into Jerome Powell concluded. The record shows he publicly maintained opposition while the probe was pending, then stated on April 26, 2026 that DOJ had assured him the investigation was closed and he was prepared to support Warsh. The Senate confirmed Warsh on May 13, 2026, with Tillis voting Yea, after the stated condition had been satisfied and while Tillis remained in the same federal Senate term.
The promise was conditional on Tillis's own confirmation vote: he said he would not support Kevin Warsh until the DOJ probe into Jerome Powell was concluded. The evidence shows he publicly maintained that position through the nomination process, then on April 26, 2026 said he had been assured the investigation was closed and that he now looked forward to supporting Warsh. He then voted Yea on Warsh's confirmation on May 13, 2026. That matches the promise as stated, and it occurred during the same Senate term.
Tillis publicly pledged to oppose confirming any Fed nominee (including Kevin Warsh) until the DOJ inquiry into Chair Jerome Powell was fully and transparently resolved (statements in Jan–Apr 2026). After the DOJ matter was reported closed, Tillis announced he would support Warsh "with these assurances" and then cast a Yea on the Senate roll call confirming Kevin Warsh on May 13, 2026. The condition he set was met and he subsequently voted to confirm, so the promise was fulfilled during the same term; Tillis also actively maintained and enforced the pledge while the investigation was ongoing, so effort_badge is true.
Tillis promised not to vote to confirm Kevin Warsh as Fed Chair until the DOJ probe into Jerome Powell concluded. The evidence shows he repeatedly maintained opposition while the probe was pending, including during the active confirmation process, and only moved to support Warsh after the investigation was reported resolved. In federal Senate confirmation context, that satisfies the conditional voting promise during the same term.
Multiple primary sources confirm that Senator Tillis consistently stated and maintained his refusal to vote to confirm Kevin Warsh as Fed Chair until the DOJ's probe into Jerome Powell concluded. The evidence demonstrates public commitment and legislative follow-through, meeting the promise specifics.