Trump's One Big Beautiful Bill is splitting the allegiance of a few in Washington, not the least of which is Sen. Thom Tillis (R-SC), who is one of just two Republicans who voted against the bill.

According to a recent statement by Tillis, which came shortly after the vote, Tillis will end his time in the Senate when his term runs out, and won't seek election again in the 2026 cycle, as the New York Post reported.

The decision came after Trump said he might face an administration-backed challenger, if he voted against the bill, which he did.

Re-election terms

Tillis would have already been among the most vulnerable of the Senate Republicans up for re-election in 2026, and some believe that first daughter-in-law Lara Trump could be the frontrunner for that position.

Tillis was standing against the legislation because of deep Medicaid cuts that will likely be implemented if the bill becomes law. He also had some harsh words for what he sees as the death of bipartisanship in Washington.

"In Washington over the last few years, it's become increasingly evident that leaders who are willing to embrace bipartisanship, compromise, and demonstrate independent thinking are becoming an endangered species," Tillis said.

Some kind words

However, he did tip his proverbial hat to former Sens. Joe Manchin and Kyrsten Sinema, both independents who caucused with Democrats, for their lack of willingness to "cave to their party bosses to nuke the filibuster for the sake of political expediency."

"They ultimately retired, and their presence in the Senate chamber has been sorely missed every day since," he said.

"It underscores the greatest form of hypocrisy in American politics. When people see independent thinking on the other side, they cheer," he continued.

"But when those very same people see independent thinking coming from their side, they scorn, ostracize, and even censure them."

The big news

At the end of the day, he had to decide between being with his family and spending another six years in Washington, DC, dealing with "the political theater and partisan gridlock."

"It's not a hard choice, and I will not be seeking re-election," he said.

Earlier this year, Tillis refused to endorse Ed Martin, the president's choice for U.S. attorney for the District of Columbia, setting the battle lines and leading to his propensity to criticize Trump in the following 18 months

Because of the ruling, Martin's nomination was rejected: "I look forward to having the pure freedom to call the balls and strikes as I see fit," he said.