NEWYou can now listen to articles!
Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., said Sunday that the primary defeat of Louisiana Sen. Bill Cassidy showed there is “no room” in the Republican Party for lawmakers who try to undermine President Donald Trump or block his agenda.
Appearing on “Meet the Press,” Graham argued Cassidy’s loss in Louisiana was a direct result of the senator’s 2021 vote to convict Trump during his second impeachment trial, saying Republicans who “try to destroy” Trump politically will face consequences from GOP voters.
“There’s no room in this party to destroy his agenda or to destroy him and his family as a Republican,” Graham said. “If you align with Democrats to stop his agenda like Massie does, you’re going to lose. If you align with Democrats to drive him out of office like Cassidy did, you’re going to lose.”
Graham also warned that Rep. Thomas Massie could face similar political fallout because of his repeated opposition to Trump-backed legislation and policy priorities.
Sen. Bill Cassidy lost his Louisiana Republican primary years after voting to convict President Donald Trump during the 2021 impeachment trial. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images; Tyler Kaufman/Getty Images)
TRUMP SCORES MAJOR REPUBLICAN PRIMARY VICTORY AS CASSIDY OUSTED IN LOUISIANA
“Those who try to destroy Trump politically, stand in the way of his agenda, are going to lose,” Graham said. “This is the party of Donald Trump.”
The South Carolina Republican made the comments after NBC host Kristen Welker asked whether Cassidy’s defeat sent a message that there was little room left in the GOP for members willing to publicly break with Trump.
“You can disagree with President Trump, but if you try to destroy him, you’re going to lose because this is the party of Donald Trump,” Graham said.
Sen. Lindsey Graham said Sen. Bill Cassidy lost his primary because Republican voters remain firmly aligned with President Donald Trump and his agenda. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
AFTER INDIANA PURGE, TRUMP SETS SIGHTS ON LOUISIANA’S BILL CASSIDY
Cassidy, who has represented Louisiana in the Senate since 2015, was one of seven Republican senators who voted to convict Trump after the Jan. 6 Capitol protests. Trump was ultimately acquitted because the Senate vote failed to reach the required two-thirds threshold.
At the time, Cassidy defended his vote by arguing Trump’s actions surrounding Jan. 6 were unconstitutional and dangerous. The impeachment vote immediately sparked backlash from Louisiana Republicans, including a censure from the state Republican Party.
Graham acknowledged he personally liked Cassidy and praised his work in the Senate, but said the impeachment vote carried political consequences that were difficult to overcome in a Republican primary.
The South Carolina senator said Cassidy’s impeachment vote against Trump became a defining issue in Louisiana politics and warned other Republicans against opposing the president’s agenda. (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)
WHO IS JOHN FLEMING, THE FREEDOM CAUCUS FOUNDING MEMBER CHALLENGING GOP SEN BILL CASSIDY?
“I like Bill. I thought he was a great senator, but he made a political decision,” Graham said. “He voted to impeach President Trump, which would have ruined his political life. He could never run for office again.”
Graham also framed Trump’s influence over the Republican Party as politically beneficial, including for his own re-election efforts.
“I think President Trump’s doing a hell of a good job,” Graham said. “If you try to destroy him, you’re going to get destroyed. That’s the takeaway.”
CLICK HERE FOR MORE COVERAGE OF MEDIA AND CULTURE
“Thank you, President Trump, for endorsing me. It’s helped me in my primary. It’s just a reality, and it’s a good reality.”
Digital reached out to Sen. Bill Cassidy for comment, but did not immediately hear back.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE APP
