Bill Cassidy accuses Trump of treating Congress as ‘merely an appendage’ | US politics
US politics | The Guardian — 2026-06-28 10:02:00 — www.theguardian.com
Cassidy Accuses Trump of Treating Congress as “Merely an Appendage” in Iran War Handling
Senator Bill Cassidy, the Republican from Louisiana who is being ousted after Donald Trump successfully backed a primary challenger, has sharply criticized Trump’s approach to congressional oversight in the ongoing Iran conflict. In a rare public confrontation, Cassidy accused Trump of treating Congress “as merely an appendage” and failing to brief lawmakers on the prosecution of hostilities with Tehran.
A Rare Republican Rebuke
During an interview on CBS News’s Face the Nation, Cassidy recounted a heated exchange with Trump at a Capitol Hill lunch. The senator said Trump “berated” him and three other Republican senators for supporting a war powers resolution—a symbolic rebuke to the White House. Cassidy described matching Trump’s volume during the confrontation, saying his anger stemmed from Trump’s disregard for the constitutional separation of powers, which requires the president to keep Congress informed.
Cassidy argued that the founding fathers intended Congress to “reflect all of the American people, not just the will of one person,” and accused Trump of acting as if Congress was simply an extension of the presidency.
Trump’s Concession and Ongoing Tensions
Following the confrontation, Cassidy said Trump ultimately conceded and granted him a briefing on the war from Vice-President JD Vance and special envoy Steve Witkoff. After receiving the briefing, Cassidy withdrew his support for the war powers resolution, but his criticism of Trump’s approach remained pointed.
Cassidy’s remarks come as he prepares to leave the Senate, having lost his primary to Julia Letlow, a candidate backed by Trump. Cassidy has previously demonstrated independence from Trump, notably voting to convict him on impeachment charges related to the January 6 Capitol attack.
Critique of Trump’s Priorities and War Record
Cassidy also questioned Trump’s domestic priorities, specifically the push for the Save America Act, which would introduce new federal voting restrictions. Cassidy argued that Trump should instead focus on making life more affordable for Americans.
On the Iran conflict, Cassidy criticized what he described as the Trump administration’s failure to achieve its objectives, noting that a “medium-sized power” was now seen as having fought the U.S. to a draw, at a cost of $29 billion and 13 American lives.
Conclusion
Senator Cassidy’s public challenge to Trump underscores ongoing divisions within the Republican Party over the former president’s leadership style and policy priorities. By accusing Trump of sidelining Congress and failing to deliver on key objectives, Cassidy highlights concerns about executive overreach and the effectiveness of Trump’s approach to both foreign and domestic issues. As the party moves toward November’s general election, these debates are likely to remain at the forefront.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/jun/28/trump-bill-cassidy-congress-iran-war