Republican Senator Bill Cassidy says he feels 'great' about his vote to support the Constitution, yet joins a club of lawmakers who have crossed President Trump and lost. He hints at more criticism of Democrats over the Iran war and perceived injustices, possibly including people involved in the Jan. 6 Capitol attack. Meanwhile, Cassidy's GOP colleagues are mostly quiet or dispassionate about his loss, and South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham says those who try to destroy Trump politically will lose.
But after years of curtly dodging questions about his impeachment vote — and often saying nothing at all when pressed in the Capitol hallways — Cassidy now says he feels “great.
” “You’re looking at a man who loves his country, who feels very, very good about how I serve my country and my Constitution and my fellow Americans,” Cassidy said.
"Wouldn’t all of us want to say, I voted to support the Constitution on something momentous? That’s the way I feel about it. I’m very pleased about it. ” He now joins a club of Republican lawmakers who have crossed Trump and lost.
It remains unclear whether he will join GOP colleagues like North Carolina Sen. Thom Tillis, who has become more outspoken since he announced his retirement last year. Cassidy wouldn’t directly criticize Trump on Monday evening, saying that “people want me to say negative things, but I’m saying positive things.
” Still, he did hint that he may have more to say, telling reporters he is undecided on how he will vote on the next Democratic measure to halt the Iran war and criticizing a new nearly who believe they have been unjustly investigated and persecuted — potentially including people who were prosecuted and later pardoned for their roles in the Jan. 6 Capitol attack. As Cassidy reflected on his two terms in the Senate, his GOP colleagues still loyal to Trump were mostly quiet or dispassionate about his loss.
“Bill’s loss was predictable, and Bill knew it,” said his Louisiana colleague, Republican Sen. John Kennedy. Kennedy said Cassidy decided to run anyway, “and I respect that, and I thank him for his service. We’re running on to a runoff now and we’ve got two fine people in the runoff.
”South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham, one of Trump’s closest allies, said on NBC’s “Meet the Press” Sunday that “those who try to destroy Trump politically, stand in the way of his agenda, are going to lose. ” Trump agreed, posting over the weekend on social media that “it’s nice to see that his political career is OVER! ” Only Alaska Sen.
Lisa Murkowski, one of six other Republicans who voted to convict Trump in his second impeachment trial, said she regrets that Cassidy won’t be returning to the Senate. His defeat “certainly has implications for us here,” she said.
“I’ve appreciated working with him and his leadership. ”Until Saturday, Cassidy was also silent on most controversies involving Trump. And he worked hard to show that he was supportive of the president, most significantly by eventuallyeven after questioning Kennedy’s skepticism of vaccines. As a doctor and the chairman of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, Cassidy’s vote was crucial.
Cassidy wouldn’t say Monday if he regretted that vote. He compared the vote to a bad date in high school and said “life is lived forward. ” He was more outspoken about Trump’s new “anti-weaponization fund,” which is part of a settlement that resolves the president's lawsuit against the Internal Revenue Service over the leak of his tax returns.
While other Republicans dodged questions on the fund as they returned to Washington on Monday evening, telling reporters they didn’t know enough about it or just declining to weigh in, Cassidy said he doesn’t see any precedent for it. Congress should have a say, he said, adding that people he met on the campaign trail “are concerned about making their own ends meet, not about putting the slush fund together without a legal precedent.
”Cassidy’s support for Trump's conviction in the February 2021 impeachment trial was a surprise, after the mild-mannered doctor had been mostly supportive of — or at least reluctant to challenge — Trump through his first term. He wrestled with how to vote for days beforehand and declined to comment on the trial before casting his vote.. The only other two remaining in the Senate are Murkowski and Maine Sen.
Susan Collins, who is up for reelection as well in her much more moderate state. Cassidy said after the vote in 2021 that he was “at peace” with his decision. But it dogged him for the full five years, and became much more of an issue when Trump was reelected and Cassidy was running again.
When asked Monday if he would run for office again, Cassidy made a subtle dig at Trump’s efforts to overturn his 2020 presidential election loss and his false claims that led to the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol by his supporters. Associated Press writers Steven Sloan, Joey Cappelletti and Stephen Groves contributed to this report. Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. Jaguars reveal truth about Trevor Lawrence’s new hairdoJacksonville IRONMAN Triathlon begins Saturday; US Coast Guard says there will be increased securityJacksonville IRONMAN Triathlon begins Saturday; US Coast Guard says there will be increased securityMan shot by JSO after hostage situation involving woman, infantBrysen Wright with the endzone look in spring… saving the real magic for the seasonSafety Dance activated 😂 Mandarin Mustangs out here celebrating that 2-piece special.
#Varsity4When Hicks Zarah gets downhill… it’s over for whoever’s in the way 🛑 #Varsity4Attorney for off-duty JSO officer accused in skate park takedown pleased after client clearedBattle over beer brewing: Hastings church appeals pizza restaurant’s alcohol approvalMan found fatally shot near Normandy Boulevard on Jacksonville’s WestsideWhen Kyree Wilson gets the ball in space… it’s a wrap 😤Pt. 2: Batteries out. Parts off.
New tools and toys for This Old Golf Cart'Erased is a good one': Jaguars rookie WR Josh Cameron dishes on his favorite hobby: anime▶At 73 and still going strong, Susan Wallis continues to inspire as she gets ready for 48th IronmanNews4JAX ride-along with JSO DUI Patrol on Cinco de Mayo ends with arrestPhase III water limits hit homeowners across Northeast FloridaJacksonville unveils Riverfront Music Garden, reopen Northbank Riverwalk to honor city’s heritageCity of Jacksonville shares details, gathers input on next phase of Riverfront PlazaJoshua Phillips withdraws bid for sentence review, cites need for professional counselingHold up wait a minute, I'm about to put some green in it!
Shanna Gardner, Henry Tenon return to court for another pre-trial hearingFatal road rage shooting of Jacksonville musician Joe Starkey was justified under Florida law: SAOFatal road rage shooting of Jacksonville musician Joe Starkey was justified under Florida law: SAOAffordable housing project planned for Springfield as development reshapes neighborhoodJacksonville councilwoman declines to comment on HR investigation that removed her from classroom
Republican Senator Bill Cassidy Republican Lawmakers Who Crossed Trump And Los Cassidy's Vote To Support The Constitution Criticism Of Democrats Over The Iran War Perceived Injustices Involving People Involved
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Sen. Cassidy loses La. GOP primary to Trump-backed candidateThe Louisiana primary comes in the middle of a month of campaigns by Trump to exact retribution on politicians who have crossed him. On May 5 he helped dislodge five of seven Indiana state senators who rejected his redistricting plan.
Read more »
Sen. Bill Cassidy ousted in Louisiana GOP primary, as Trump-backed foe and another candidate advanceRepublican Sen. Bill Cassidy finishes third in Louisiana primary, as Trump-backed U.S. Rep. Julia Letlow and state Treasurer John Fleming advance to the runoff.
Read more »
Sen. Cassidy knocked out of Louisiana GOP primary; Trump-backed Letlow, Fleming make runoffU.S. Rep. Julia Letlow and state Treasurer John Fleming have advanced to a runoff in Louisiana’s Republican Senate primary.
Read more »
Lindsey Graham warns Republicans, Democrats trying to 'destroy' Trump is a losing game after Cassidy defeatSen. Lindsey Graham says Bill Cassidy's primary defeat shows there is no room in the Republican Party for lawmakers who try to undermine Donald Trump.
Read more »