Sen. Bill Cassidy: Trump acts as if Congress is 'merely an appendage'

In an interview with CBS News's Face the Nation, Cassidy explained that he had a heated exchange with Trump at a Capitol Hill lunch after Trump criticized Republican senators who had voted for a war powers resolution that symbolically rebuked the White House. Cassidy stated that under the U.S. Constitution's separation of powers, Congress must be briefed, and that the founding fathers designed the system to prevent an overly powerful presidency.

Following the confrontation, Trump conceded and granted Cassidy a briefing on the war from Vice President JD Vance and special envoy Steve Witkoff. After receiving this briefing, Cassidy dropped his support for the war powers resolution. Cassidy, who previously voted to convict Trump on impeachment charges related to the January 6, 2021, Capitol attack, also questioned Trump's domestic priorities, suggesting a focus on making life more affordable for average Americans.

Cassidy also expressed strong objections to attempts to shield Trump allies and the president himself from IRS audits, stating that leaders should be held to a higher standard and that making one person above the law is wrong. His challenger, Julia Letlow, who was endorsed by Trump, won a runoff election and is positioned to replace Cassidy in the Senate.