Cassidy clashes with Trump over Iran briefing in private meeting

Bill Cassidy erupted at Donald Trump during a closed-door Senate Republican lunch in the Capitol on Wednesday, saying the president’s team had not been honest with the American people about the Iran conflict. The confrontation came a day after the Senate approved a Democrat-led war powers resolution by a 50-48 vote, with Cassidy joining Rand Paul, Susan Collins and Lisa Murkowski in backing it.

The resolution was symbolic and carried no force of law. A second, similar measure later failed to advance. Senate Majority Leader John Thune stepped in to calm the exchange as the argument grew loud enough that a senator pulled Cassidy back into his seat.

Trump called Cassidy a “lunatic” and told him to sit down, while Cassidy said the president was angry that he had not been briefed and was not being straightforward about Iran. Cassidy later said he lost his temper and “matched” Trump’s “tone and volume,” adding that he would not be bullied into silence while seeking answers for the public.

Cassidy said the dispute centered on the administration’s original objectives in Iran: degrading its nuclear, ballistic missile and conventional military capabilities. He also said the conflict was supposed to last four to five weeks, but had stretched to four months, sharpening his demand for greater transparency with Congress and the public before lawmakers gave the president more freedom of action.

After the shouting match, Cassidy passed a note to Trump ally Steve Witkoff. He later received a briefing from Vice President JD Vance and Witkoff in the Situation Room, and said that conversation changed his view enough that he reconsidered his vote. Cassidy said the briefing addressed his concerns, that regime change was off the table, and that there was a plausible path to complete its remaining goals.

Trump has endorsed Cassidy’s GOP primary opponent, and Trump also reminded Cassidy of his earlier election loss.