Johnson says GOP still favors strong ‘dissent’ culture despite Cassidy’s historic loss

Published May 18, 2026 1:32pm ET | Updated May 18, 2026 1:32pm ET



House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) on Sunday pushed aside concerns that Sen. Bill Cassidy’s (R-LA) primary loss signals the Republican Party has become beholden to President Donald Trump.

Cassidy lost his primary election over the weekend after Trump endorsed one of his rivals. Trump made the decision after expressing outrage that the “very disloyal” lawmaker voted to impeach him in 2021. The president has also expressed concern that the senator, a medical doctor who chairs the Senate health committee, failed to show adequate support for the White House’s “Make America Great Again” agenda. 

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