Trump Takes Victory Lap After Senate Gop Caves On Iran Resolution

Senate Republicans dramatically reversed people Wednesday night, blocking a warfare powers solution complete nan conflict successful Iran — conscionable 1 time aft a akin measurement passed — pursuing an aggravated unit run from Donald Trump, who publically and privately lashed retired astatine GOP senators complete their opposition.

The reversal came aft Trump confronted Republican lawmakers face-to-face earlier Wednesday, furious complete Tuesday’s ballot to situation his Iran warfare policy. The conflict has deepened tensions wrong nan party, pulling attraction distant from election-year issues for illustration affordability and bringing overmuch of nan Senate’s schedule to a standstill.

Trump quickly took to Truth Social to observe nan buckling of Republican senators, saying, “Wow! The Senate conscionable changed its ballot connected Iran from 50-48 against, to 50-47 for. Rand Paul and Bill Cassidy changed. Thank you to Leader John Thune, Lindsey Graham, Bernie Moreno, and all. This ballot puts Iran connected notice! President DJT.”

One of Trump’s sharpest exchanges came pinch Louisiana Sen. Bill Cassidy, 1 of 4 Republicans who initially joined Democrats successful supporting nan warfare powers measure.

But hours aft nan confrontation, Cassidy was invited to nan White House for a backstage briefing pinch Vice President JD Vance and typical envoy Steve Witkoff. He returned to Capitol Hill and voted against nan new, astir identical resolution.

“I want to convey Vice President Vance and Special Envoy Witkoff for nan thorough briefing this day connected Iran,” Cassidy posted connected X, saying he appreciated nan opportunity to reside his concerns. The senator, who precocious mislaid his reelection bid aft Trump endorsed his challenger, said nan briefing helped reply cardinal questions.

Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul, different Republican who has many times voted pinch Democrats to limit nan war, changed his attack by voting “present.” Paul said nan move was intended “to springiness nan President much abstraction and leverage to discuss a lasting peace.”

The solution grounded 47-50-1 soon earlier midnight, sending nan Senate into a two-week recess.

The ballot appeared to beryllium an effort by Republicans to easiness tensions pinch Trump, who had antecedently branded GOP senators who opposed him “losers” and reportedly called Cassidy a “lunatic” during a heated luncheon meeting. Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., and different Republicans contacted Trump aft nan vote, pinch Thune saying nan president was “pleased pinch nan outcome.”

Trump later thanked Thune online, praised Cassidy and Paul for changing their votes, and declared: “This ballot puts Iran connected notice!”

The measurement blocked Wednesday was abstracted from nan warfare powers solution approved Tuesday, which besides passed nan House. Both measures were mostly symbolic and did not transportation nan unit of law.

During nan closed-door Republican luncheon, Trump had been expected to push his proof-of-citizenship voting bill. Instead, nan Iran ballot dominated nan meeting. While astir senators stayed quiet, Cassidy defended his decision.

“I stood and said, ‘You person not told nan American group what’s going on,’” Cassidy told reporters afterward. He based on nan warfare had expanded beyond its original timeline, saying, “This was expected to past 4 weeks, it’s lasted 4 months. Our original objectives person not been achieved.”

Cassidy said he matched Trump’s reside during nan speech but refused to beryllium intimidated. “I americium voting for warfare powers until I get a briefing,” he said afterward. According to a root acquainted pinch nan meeting, Trump many times told Cassidy to beryllium down and insulted him during nan confrontation. Trump later publically described nan gathering arsenic “really great,” while acknowledging disagreements remained.

The conflict is portion of a broader breakdown betwixt Trump and Senate Republicans. The president precocious canceled a signing ceremonial for a awesome lodging measure that passed some chambers aft demanding Congress first nonstop him nan SAVE America Act, his connection requiring impervious of citizenship for voters.

North Carolina Sen. Thom Tillis said he was confused astir why Trump was holding nan lodging measure “hostage” complete a voting measurement that apt lacks capable support to pass. Thune called nan lodging authorities an “affordability issue” and said he hoped Trump would yet motion it.

The conflict has fueled concerns among Republicans that soul battles are distracting from elector concerns up of nan midterm elections. Texas Sen. John Cornyn warned, “If we’re going to triumph nan midterm elections, we request to get connected nan aforesaid page. We’re not connected nan aforesaid page now.”

Trump has continued pushing Republicans to destruct nan Senate filibuster and beforehand his voting bill, but Thune has many times said neither connection has nan basal support. With Democrats firmly opposed and nan Senate requiring 60 votes to flooded a filibuster, Thune said lawmakers request to judge reality.

“I deliberation group astatine immoderate constituent person to travel to grips pinch that,” he said.