Tillis calls Trump impeachment a 'vote of no confidence,' criticizes process

Tillis responded by questioning the nature of the trial, stating, "What trial was there? I mean, there was no counsel. There were no witnesses. It was a vote of no confidence." He added that if more time had been dedicated to the impeachment process, as is historically expected for impeaching a president, it might have swayed his decision. He characterized it as a "snap impeachment."

In his memoir, Tillis posits that until both parties acknowledge their responsibility for escalating political behavior, starting from the Obama administration through "Trump 2," elections will continue to be characterized by one party justifying its actions based on the prior administration's conduct.

Addressing Melber's question again, Tillis expressed concern that if the precedent for rapid impeachment trials continues, the process will be further diminished when applied to future presidents facing impeachable offenses. Tillis, who voted to acquit Trump, defended his decision in a previous interview with Ross Douthat for CBS News's "60 Minutes," calling Trump's quick second impeachment a "means-justifies-the-end rationalization." He stated, "So cheapening the impeachment process to prevent someone from running in the future, I just don’t buy it."

Regarding the Jan. 6 attack, Tillis cautioned that Trump might lash out at Republicans if the party experiences significant losses in the upcoming November midterm elections. Tillis suggested it would be a "political unforced error" for Trump to attack GOP lawmakers, citing Trump's low approval ratings and voter concerns about affordability.

Tillis, who previously diverged from Trump over the One Big, Beautiful Bill Act, announced last year that he would not seek reelection in November. Trump had previously criticized Tillis, calling him a "talker and complainer, NOT A DOER."