Thom Tillis goes all in on Kash Patel after being a Hegseth holdout until the last minute

Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., is throwing his full support behind President Donald Trump’s controversial FBI director nominee, Kash Patel, as he prepares for his confirmation hearing. Tillis, who had previously been considered a wildcard vote ahead of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s nomination, will introduce Patel in the Senate Judiciary Committee on Thursday morning.

In an exclusive interview with Fox News Digital, Tillis revealed that he plans to speak briefly about Patel’s background, upbringing, work as a prosecutor, and his administration experience. The senator emphasized that he is fully behind Patel and believes in his qualifications for the position.

To show his support for Patel, Tillis has created a Patel-themed bingo game for his colleagues on the committee. The “K$H Bingo” game includes topics that Tillis expects Democrats to bring up during the hearing, such as “Deep State,” “Enemies List,” and section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA). The senator is determined to counter any attacks on Patel and hold his colleagues accountable.

Tillis’ strong backing of Patel comes on the heels of his last-minute decision to support Hegseth’s nomination. The senator had waited until just before the vote to announce his support for Hegseth, citing the need to thoroughly investigate new allegations against the nominee. Ultimately, Tillis voted in favor of Hegseth after receiving satisfactory answers to his questions.

Despite facing criticism for his delayed endorsement of Hegseth, Tillis remains committed to thoroughly vetting nominees and standing by his decisions. He believes that his meticulous approach to the confirmation process lends credibility to his support for nominees like Patel.

As the confirmation hearing for Patel approaches, Tillis is confident in his choice to back the FBI director nominee and is prepared to defend his decision. The senator’s unwavering support for Patel underscores his dedication to upholding his responsibilities in the advise and consent process.

Julia Johnson, a politics writer for Fox News Digital and Fox Business, leads coverage of the U.S. Senate. She brings a wealth of experience from her previous role as a politics reporter at the Washington Examiner. Follow Julia’s reporting on Twitter at @JuliaaJohnson_ and send tips to Julia.Johnson@fox.com.