Trump hit with stern ultimatum from GOP senator after DOJ dealt 'resounding defeat'

Sen. Thom Tillis (R-NC) delivered a stark message to President Donald Trump on Friday after the president took a big legal blow.

Tillis, who plans to not seek reelection and will end his term in January 2027, responded after a federal judge rejected U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro's subpoenas targeting Fed Chair Jerome Powell. U.S. District Judge James Boasberg granted the order, agreeing with the Fed that Trump's repeated attacks on the chairman indicate the investigation into the Federal Reserve's building renovation was pretextual and politically motivated.

Neil Irwin, Axios chief economic correspondent spoke during a live interview on MS NOW Friday and called Boasberg's decision a "resounding defeat" for Trump and his Department of Justice.

Tillis has been critical of the Trump administration, including now demoted Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. During a congressional hearing this month, Tillis vowed not to confirm any Trump nominees just as the administration was pushing to confirm Kevin Warsh, who was nominated to be the next chairman of the Federal Reserve. Powell's term ends on May 23.

"Here's a warning from Thom Tillis, senator from North Carolina, who had threatened to block Kevin Warsh because of this lawsuit," MS HOW host Katy Tur said.

"He says the ruling to block subpoenas against Powell confirms just how weak and frivolous the investigation," Tur added. "And he's now warned the DOJ against appealing the ruling, saying it will only delay the confirmation of Kevin Warsh as the next Fed chair. So he's saying, Justin, 'If you guys delay this, I'm going to dig in my heels and I'm not going to confirm your next guy.'"