President Donald Trump is using his influence to remove Republican opponents, including the successful effort to oust Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-LA) in the May 2026 Louisiana primary.

This strategy marks a concentrated effort to purge the GOP of vocal critics who opposed the president, consolidating his control over the party before the upcoming midterm elections.

Cassidy was one of seven Republican senators [2] who voted to convict Trump in his impeachment trial. Specifically, Cassidy cast that vote five years ago [3]. The president has since backed challengers to target those who voted for conviction.

In Louisiana, Trump supported candidates to ensure Cassidy's defeat. This move is part of a broader pattern of using primary influence to exact revenge on party members who diverged from the president's position.

This internal party shift comes as the president faces a challenging political environment. His approval rating has fallen to 37 percent [1], which is the lowest mark of his second term.

By removing the few remaining critics within the GOP, Trump aims to ensure the party remains aligned with his agenda. The Louisiana primary serves as a signal to other Republicans that opposition to the president may lead to a primary challenge backed by the White House.

“Trump is using his influence to remove Republican opponents”

The removal of Sen. Cassidy illustrates a transition in the Republican Party from a broad coalition to a more singular alignment with Donald Trump. By successfully targeting those who voted for conviction in the impeachment trial, the president is effectively eliminating the internal GOP institutional guardrails that previously allowed for public dissent.