GOP Senator Cassidy Nukes Trump, RFK Jr, and Pulte - The Bulwark

Summary4 min read

Podcast Summary: The Bulwark – "GOP Senator Cassidy Nukes Trump, RFK Jr, and Pulte"
Date: June 30, 2026
Host: Will Saletan (A)

Episode Overview

In this episode, Will Saletan explores what former, traditional Republicans truly think about Donald Trump, using recent blunt and critical comments from Senator Bill Cassidy (R-LA) as a lens. With Cassidy on his way out of the Senate and free from political consequences, he speaks candidly about the Trump administration’s handling of Iran, domestic affordability, political appointments, abuses of power, and the fecklessness of Congress. Saletan breaks down Cassidy's Face the Nation interview, offering analysis, context, and commentary on his most provocative statements.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Iran and the Aftermath of War [00:00–02:16]

Traditional GOP Talking Point Challenged:
Saletan sets up the show by noting that the GOP often claims total victory over Iran and that the country is desperate for a deal. Cassidy sharply disagrees.
Cassidy’s Take:
Cassidy argues Iran is not begging but rather has managed to fight the U.S. "to a draw," forcing the U.S. into making accommodations—demonstrating the current deal is not a victory.

“But the fact is that a medium-sized power at this point is perceived to have fought a superpower to a draw, requiring some measure of accommodation of we, the superpower. And we spent $29 billion and we have 13 Americans dead. We hope to get back to status quo ante.” – Bill Cassidy [00:57]
Saletan’s Commentary:
He emphasizes Cassidy’s realism: the deal with Iran, rather than showing strength, resembles the kind of agreement struck for a “face-saving” exit, likening it to the Vietnam experience.

2. Affordability and Trump’s Priorities [02:16–02:48]

Bipartisan Housing Bill Blocked:
The conversation pivots to domestic policy, specifically Trump’s blocking of a bipartisan housing bill meant to address affordability.
Cassidy’s Critique:
Cassidy asserts that Trump’s priorities do not include helping working families afford necessities.

“What I think should be the priority is how do you make life more affordable for the American people? If I were president, I'd be focused on things differently. If I were president, I'd be focused on what that family around the kitchen table is looking at as they go through their bills.” – Bill Cassidy [02:30]
Host’s Analysis:
Saletan interprets this as Cassidy implicitly saying Trump is out of touch with ordinary Americans’ needs.

3. The Appointment of Bill Pulte [02:48–04:01]

Corruption Concerns:
Trump appoints Bill Pulte as Director of National Intelligence, raising alarm bells for Cassidy due to Pulte’s misuse of government resources for political retribution.

“My objection to Bill is that he used personal information to target a political enemy of the president... You should not be using the force of government to crash upon somebody just because the person in charge does not like them or finds them inconvenient. The fact that Bill did that is disqualifying for someone to be the Director of National Intelligence.” – Bill Cassidy [03:20]
Saletan’s Nostalgia:
He notes Cassidy is evoking old-school conservative principles: limited government, no abuse of power.

4. The Trump DOJ and Immunity for the President [04:01–05:48]

Sweeping Immunity Deal:
Saletan discusses the Department of Justice under Trump’s appointee Todd Blanch, specifically a deal that grants the Trumps and business associates immunity from tax and other criminal investigations.

“I absolutely object to that. And I don't think that agreement should hold the force of law.” – Bill Cassidy [04:58]

“Absolving somebody of any crime which they or their family may have... seems more ‘I am above everybody else and I should be held to a different standard.’ Leaders should be held to a higher standard and making one person above the law is wrong.” – Bill Cassidy [05:21]
Saletan’s Frustration:
He crystallizes how this subverts the idea of legal accountability and undermines democracy.

5. Congressional Cowardice & Separation of Powers [05:48–06:22]

Senate vs. Presidency:
Saletan wants to know why Congress isn’t intervening and why they let the president get away with such overreach. Cassidy acknowledges the Senate is often complicit.

“The Senate is a separate body separate from the presidency...sometimes Congress acts like it's an appendage.” – Bill Cassidy [06:10 & 06:22]
Host’s Critique:
Saletan underscores the “symbiotic relationship between a ruthless president and a gutless Congress,” highlighting the institutional drift away from constitutional checks.

6. Cassidy’s Admissions of Regret [06:22+]

RFK Jr. & Retrospective Regret:
As the segment closes, Saletan reveals even Cassidy, despite his current candor, once capitulated to Trumpism—specifically in voting to confirm Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as Secretary of Health and Human Services. Cassidy expresses regret over that decision (segment ends mid-development).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

On the Iran Deal:
“We hope to get back to status quo ante.” – Bill Cassidy [00:57]
On Presidential Priorities:
“If I were president, I'd be focused on what that family around the kitchen table is looking at.” – Bill Cassidy [02:30]
On Abuse of Power:
“You should not be using the force of government to crash upon somebody just because the person in charge does not like them... The fact that Bill did that is disqualifying.” – Bill Cassidy [03:20]
On Presidential Immunity:
“Making one person above the law is wrong.” – Bill Cassidy [05:21]
On Cowardly Congress:
“Sometimes Congress acts like it's an appendage.” – Bill Cassidy [06:22]

Structure & Tone

Will Saletan’s narration is clear, pointed, and openly critical of Trump-era Republicanism, but he maintains respect for Cassidy’s honest and principled dissent. Quotes are presented with their original candor, and the atmosphere is one of both exasperation and a wistful look at an older, more principled vision of conservatism.

For full analysis and more context, visit www.thebulwark.com.

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Transcript22 lines

[00:00]
A
Hey, it's Will Saletan from the Bulwark. So do you ever wonder what Republican senators really think about Donald Trump? I mean, I'm not talking about, you know, the MAGA heads that you see on tv. I'm talking about old fashioned, pre Trump Republicans. Do they think it's okay that this idiot, this dirtbag, is running their party? Well, today I'm going to show you what one of them thinks. Bill Cassidy, he's a Republican senator from Louisiana and he's on his way out of Congress, so he's got nothing to lose. And on Sunday he did an hour long interview on Face the Nation and he said, he said what he really thinks about Trump. So let's roll the tape. All right, so the first topic was Iran. The Republican talking point on Iran is that we totally won the war and Iran is begging us. They're begging us for a deal.
[00:53]
B
They are begging to make a deal, not me.
[00:55]
A
That's not what Cassidy thinks. Here's what he said.
[00:58]
B
But the fact is that a medium sized power at this point is perceived to have fought a superpower to a draw, require requiring some measure of accommodation of we, the superpower. And we spent $29 billion and we have 13Americans dead. We hope to get back to status quo ante.
[01:15]
A
Ouch. He's right. When Cassidy talks about accommodation, he's talking about the fact that this deal that we signed with Iran makes all kinds of concessions, like it commits us to help raise $300 billion for Iran and it lets Iran decide how to open the Strait of Hormuz. So that is not, that's not the kind of deal that you sign with somebody you just defeated in a war. Right. It's a fig leaf to let us get out of a war like we got out of Vietnam. And did you hear what Cassidy said at the end, the part about how we hope to get back to the status quo ante. So in case you're not aware, that's Latin for saying that when the war is over, we'll be lucky, we very lucky to get back to where we started before the war. Okay, next topic. Affordability. So the interviewer, Margaret Brennan, brought up Trump's decision to block a bill that would have helped more people afford housing.
[02:17]
C
He canceled that event on the bipartisan housing bill, which had strong support from both sides of the aisle. It was aimed at least at affordability.
[02:25]
A
And Cassidy's answer was basically that Trump doesn't really care about affordability.
[02:31]
B
Clearly he wants the say that passed. So you can say that is a priority. What I think should be the priority is how do you make life more affordable for the American people? If I were president, I'd be focused on things differently. If I were president, I'd be focused on what that family around the kitchen table is looking at as they go through their bills.
[02:48]
A
If I, if I were president, says Cassidy, meaning the guy who actually is President Trump, he has, he has other priorities. And those priorities are not making life more affordable for Americans. So then Brennan asked about Trump's appointment of Bill Pulte. Bill Pulte is a totally corrupt political hitman and Trump is appointing him as Director of National Intelligence. And Cassidy said, no way, no way. He said, this guy should not have that job.
[03:20]
B
My objection to Bill is that he used personal information to target a political enemy of the president.
[03:30]
C
At the Federal Housing Administration.
[03:31]
B
At the Federal Housing Administration, using personal data. Now, if we have an inalienable right, I have. You have the woman targeted has an inalienable right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. I'm a conservative. You should not be using the force of government to crash upon somebody just because the person in charge does not like them or finds them inconvenient. The fact that Bill did that is disqualifying for someone to be the Director of National Intelligence.
[04:02]
A
Remember when conservatives used to talk that way, limited government don't abuse power to persecute people. Some of them still believe that Cassidy believed that. And he's calling out his own president's appointee for doing that, for turning the government into a weapon. And he's calling out Trump's Department of Justice, which is led by Trump's former personal lawyer, Todd Blanch. He's calling them out for signing a ridiculous deal that, that basically insulates the whole Trump family from any tax related investigation, even if they commit crimes.
[04:43]
C
They also said the US Is forever barred from prosecuting any claims against President Trump, his family, his businesses, and all related or affiliated individuals. Do you still object to that? Do you need blanche to say something more clearly on that point?
[04:58]
B
I absolutely object to that. And I don't think think that agreement should hold the force of law.
[05:03]
A
That agreement, that agreement was signed by our government under the control of Donald Trump, to protect Donald Trump and his family from investigation. It literally puts the president above the law. And Cassidy comes right out and says it.
[05:21]
B
Absolving somebody of any crime which they or their family may have objected to, may have committed, not just in terms of IRS audits, but like anything, seems a little bit far afield from the self sacrifice that our founding fathers embraced it seems more I am above everybody else and I should be held to a different standard Leaders should be held to a higher standard and making one person above the law is wrong so
[05:49]
A
why isn't Congress doing anything about this? Why are they sitting there while the President puts himself above the law? It's because they're cowards It's a symbiotic relationship between a ruthless president and a gutless Congress Cassidy is in Congress so he knows Listen to what he says
[06:11]
B
the Senate is a separate body separate from the presidency I think we're seeing
[06:15]
C
that do you think the President understands that?
[06:17]
B
I don't know if the president does sometimes he acts as if Congress is merely an appendage and frankly sometimes Congress
[06:23]
A
acts like it's an appendage and that brings us to Cassidy himself Right he also gave in to Trump Cassidy voted to confirm Robert F. Kennedy Jr. As Secretary of Health and Human Services and boy, does he regret it Cassidy.