Staff for Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC) say the senator will not attend certain town hall meetings organized by protesters due to death threats the senator and his staff have received.

The Office of U.S. Senator Thom Tillis said the number of death threats and disturbances its seen have staff worried about safety. Local democratic groups said this is not their intent, that death threats do nothing but hurt their pushes for change.

But Tillis is facing increased scrutiny from all sides. The North Carolina Republican Party censured him in 2023. And in recent weeks, ahead of a reelection bid in 2026, he has leaned further to the right in supporting President Donald Trump’s nominees.