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Trump's RINO purge backfires as ousted GOP senator immediately tips scales in stunning revenge vote

Trump's war policy and endorsements are presented as sources of conflict among Republican lawmakers.

Trump's RINO purge backfires as ousted GOP senator immediately tips scales in stunning revenge vote
Image · Daily Mail

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Outlet credibilityDaily Mail54/100 MEDIUM
This article1 analysis · Oct 6, 2026
May 20, 2026
tl;dr

Bill Cassidy joined three Republican senators in a 50-47 procedural vote to advance a resolution curbing President Trump's war powers in Iran. The vote highlighted divisions among Republicans over the war and Trump's influence in party politics.

Community verdict

32 VOTES
How does this story look for
Donald Trump R · President of the United States
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People in this story

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Donald Trump
R · President of the United States

President whose Iran war and political interventions are at the center of the Republican divisions described

PRIMARY SUBJECT
Bill Cassidy
R · LA · SEN

Senator who voted to advance a resolution curbing the President's war powers

Cassidy's version of this story ↗
Don Bacon
R · NE-2

Representative who has pushed to restore congressional power over tariffs

Susan M. Collins
R · ME · SEN

Senator who joined Cassidy in the procedural vote and questioned Trump's endorsement of Paxton

Mike Johnson
R · LA-4

Speaker of the House facing challenges from a narrow Republican majority

Todd Young
R · IN · SEN

Senator described as reversing his support for a war-powers resolution after Rubio agreed to a hearing

Pete Hegseth
R · Secretary of Defense

Defense Secretary criticized by Senator Tillis

Mitch McConnell
R · KY · SEN

Senator who voted against several Trump Cabinet picks

Thomas Massie
R · KY-4

Representative who lost his Kentucky primary and said he would continue to oppose Trump

John Thune
R · SD · SEN

Senate Majority Leader who praised Cornyn and criticized Trump's endorsement decision

Lisa Murkowski
R · AK · SEN

Senator who joined Cassidy in the procedural vote

Mike Rounds
R · SD · SEN

Senator who supports the decision to go to war but says Republicans want more detail on a long-term plan

Kristi Noem
Former U.S. Representative (R-SD)

Former Homeland Security Secretary criticized by Senator Tillis

Thom Tillis
R · NC · SEN

Senator described as criticizing former Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth

Chuck Schumer
D · NY · SEN

Senate Minority Leader who said Republicans were breaking ranks after Cassidy's vote

Josh Hawley
R · MO · SEN

Senator described as reversing his support for a war-powers resolution after Rubio agreed to a hearing

Ken Paxton
R · TX

Texas attorney general and Senate candidate endorsed by Trump in the runoff

Republican primary challenger who defeated Thomas Massie

Marco Rubio
Secretary of State

Secretary of State who agreed to a public hearing on Venezuela

John Cornyn
R · TX · SEN

Senator and candidate in the Texas runoff whom Trump endorsed Paxton against

Rand Paul
R · KY · SEN

Senator who joined Cassidy in the procedural vote

ALSO MENTIONED  Nicolás Maduro, Venezuelan leader whose seizure is cited as background to an earlier war-powers resolution

Part of a bigger story

22 OUTLETS
Thomas Massie Loses Republican Primary to Trump-Backed Ed Gallrein

Outlets agree that Ed Gallrein defeated Rep. Thomas Massie in Kentucky’s Republican primary after receiving Donald Trump’s backing. Trump campaigned against Massie, making his influence part of the coverage. Left-leaning outlets emphasize Trump’s effort to defeat a Republican critic and cast Massie’s loss as a warning about dissent. Center outlets generally present the result as a measure of Trump’s influence, while some also stress intraparty conflict or possible electoral costs. Right-leaning outlets present it as evidence of Trump’s influence in Republican primaries and the end of Massie’s reelection bid.

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