An unusual shouting match erupted overnight between President Donald Trump and Republican Senator Bill Cassidy during a closed-door meeting with dozens of GOP lawmakers about the war with Iran and Trump’s treatment of Congress. Cassidy, one of Trump’s most outspoken Republican critics, said he challenged the president after Trump questioned why some senators had backed a resolution meant to block the war’s continuation.
According to Cassidy, he told Trump, “You really want to know?” and then said, “You did not tell the American public what was happening. It was supposed to last 4 weeks. It has lasted 4 months. Our original goals were not achieved and I want to know what is going on.” He said he would keep voting to limit Trump’s authority to wage war on Iran until he received a briefing on the operation.
Multiple U.S. outlets reported that Trump shouted back, repeatedly told Cassidy to sit down, called him “crazy,” and reminded him that he had lost his Senate seat. Cassidy reportedly shouted back, briefly called Trump “bro,” and later admitted he lost his temper. CNN reported that the clash was also fueled by Trump’s lengthy remarks, which left little time for senators to speak or ask questions.
Afterward, Cassidy told reporters his outburst was “not appropriate,” but said, “I have no regrets about standing up to the president.” Within hours, he was invited to the White House for the briefing he had sought, alongside Vice President JD Vance and Trump envoy Steve Witkoff. Cassidy then reversed course and later voted against a separate resolution to curb Trump’s power, which Republicans blocked late at night.
The confrontation reflects months of rising Republican frustration with Trump. He had backed Cassidy’s primary rival in Louisiana, helping defeat him after Cassidy voted to convict Trump in the 2021 impeachment trial over the Capitol attack. Trump also refused Tuesday night to sign a GOP-backed bill, calling it retaliation for Republicans’ failure to advance election legislation he supports.
