Republicans Face Fracture as Cassidy and Others Break With Trump

A small but growing number of Republican lawmakers are increasingly willing to break with President Donald Trump on key legislative issues, potentially complicating his agenda at a time when the party holds narrow majorities in Congress. This dynamic is emerging as several members, facing retirement or having already lost primary challenges, feel newly emboldened to assert congressional authority.

The trend was highlighted this week when Senator Bill Cassidy of Louisiana, days after losing his primary to a Trump-backed opponent, voted with Democrats on a measure to rein in U.S. military action regarding Iran. Cassidy stated that the Constitution requires Congress to hold the executive branch accountable. Representative Thomas Massie of Kentucky, another founding figure of this informal group who also lost his primary, suggested he would continue his independent streak, remarking that he has seven months left in Congress.

Other Republicans demonstrating a willingness to occasionally oppose the White House include Senators Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, who supported the Iran measure, and Susan Collins of Maine and Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, who have voted against some Trump cabinet...