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Sen. Lindsey Graham, RS.C., said Sunday that Louisiana Sen. Bill Cassidy’s primary defeat 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 said Cassidy’s loss in Louisiana was a direct result of the 2021 congressional vote to impeach Trump in his second impeachment trial, saying Republicans are “trying to destroy” Trump politically and will face the consequences for GOP voters.
“There is no place in this party to destroy his purpose or to destroy him and his family as a Republican,” Graham said. “If you side with the Democrats to stop his agenda like Massie did, you’re going to lose. If you side with the Democrats to oust him like Cassidy did, you’re going to lose.”
Graham also warned that Rep. Thomas Massie may face a similar political fallout because of his repeated opposition to Trump-backed legislation and policy priorities.
Sen. Bill Cassidy lost his first term as a Louisiana Republican after voting to impeach President Donald Trump during the 2021 impeachment trial. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images; Tyler Kaufman/Getty Images)
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“Those who are trying to destroy Trump politically, stand in the way of his agenda, will lose,” Graham said. “This is Donald Trump’s party.”
The South Carolina Republican spoke out after NBC host Kristen Welker asked if Cassidy’s defeat sent a message that there is little room left in the GOP for members willing to publicly break with Trump.
“You can oppose President Trump, but if you try to destroy him, you will lose because this is Donald Trump’s party,” said Graham.
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)
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Cassidy, who has represented Louisiana in the Senate since 2015, was one of seven Republicans who voted to impeach Trump after the protests at the Capitol on January 6. Trump was ultimately acquitted because the Senate vote failed to reach the required three-thirds majority.
At the time, Cassidy defended his vote by arguing that Trump’s actions around January 6 were unconstitutional and dangerous. The impeachment vote immediately sparked a backlash from Louisiana Republicans, including criticism from the state Republican Party.
Graham admitted he likes Cassidy and praised his work in the Senate, but said a vote to impeach him has political implications that are difficult to overcome in the Republican primary.
The South Carolina senator said Cassidy’s vote against Trump was a clear problem in Louisiana politics and warned other Republicans against opposing the president’s agenda. (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)
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“I like Bill. I thought he was a senator, but he made a political decision,” Graham said. “He voted to criticize President Trump, which would ruin his political career. He will not run for office again.”
Graham also touted Trump’s influence on the Republican Party as politically beneficial, including his re-election bid.
“I think President Trump is doing a great job,” Graham said. “If you try to destroy him, you will be destroyed. That’s the takeaway.”
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“Thank you, President Trump, for supporting me. It helped me in my elementary school. It’s just the truth, and it’s the good truth.”
Fox News Digital reached out to Sen. Bill Cassidy for comment, but did not immediately respond.
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