Republican Senator Tilli Tillis said Sunday on NBC News’ “Meet the Press” that President Donald Trump’s decision to ease sanctions on Russia and allow it to release diesel fuel into global markets may have violated the law.
“I do believe there is a legitimate case for the president not following the law,” Tillis said.
Trump announced in a post on Truth Social on Friday that Russia would “immediately supply” hundreds of thousands of tons of diesel to the global market, and would soon add more than 1 million tons. The move drew strong condemnation from critics of Ukraine and the Trump administration.
After Russia invaded Ukraine, lawmakers took a series of measures to try to punish the Kremlin financially. In 2022, the Senate unanimously passed a bill banning Russian oil imports, and Congress has yet to amend the law to reflect the president’s announcement.
When asked by moderator Kristen Welker if he thought the president’s deal with Russia violated the law, Tillis said: “I believe he probably was.”
“We know very well that Russia is the aggressor,” he added. “Russia can end this war by withdrawing from the territories they occupy.”
The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the senator’s remarks.
Asked what the Senate could do if Tillis believes Trump violated the law, Tillis pointed to year-end congressional funding negotiations.
“If the president wants my support, I think he should have my support to fund military operations and year-end funding beyond baseline funding, and 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 whether Trump’s deal with Russian President Vladimir Putin would put American lives at risk, Tillis said, “Absolutely,” pointing to Russia’s funding of mercenaries and the Kremlin’s ties to Iran.
Tillis only has a few months left in his term. His retirement from the Senate created a high-profile battleground vacancy. Democrats see his seat as a prime target in their fight for control of the House.
Tillis has been highly critical of certain aspects of the Trump administration, including the performance of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. Tillis voted for Hegseth’s confirmation and now says he regrets his vote.
Tillis on Sunday condemned the Pentagon’s plan to livestream the firing squad execution of Nidal Hassan, who was convicted in the 2009 mass shooting at Fort Hood, Texas.
Tillis said live-streaming programs can radicalize people and be used as recruitment tools by terrorist groups.
“The Fort Hood shooter should be put to death, but there’s a right way to do it, and there’s a way to do it that’s more inappropriate than I’ve ever observed in my lifetime,” he said.
He added: “That’s not who we are and this is another example of why Pete Hegseth’s bluff needs to leave the Department of Defense because he is a failed leader and we need strong leadership now to support President Trump.”