President Trump has ignited a firestorm within his own party by demanding Senate Republicans ditch the filibuster to break the deadlock of a government shutdown that’s dragging into its second month, as The Hill reports.
With the shutdown causing chaos at airports and threatening vital programs, Trump’s latest call to eliminate the Senate’s 60-vote threshold via the so-called “nuclear option” reflects his exasperation, though it’s hitting a brick wall with key GOP leaders who see the long-term risks of such a move.
Late Thursday, Trump took to Truth Social to vent his frustration, urging Republicans to abandon the filibuster and warning of political peril if Democrats reclaim power without this safeguard in place.
The government shutdown, now grinding through its second month, has lawmakers scrambling for solutions, with no clear end in sight.
Trump, fresh off a trip to Asia where he focused on trade deals with China, Japan, and South Korea, seems increasingly irritated by Democrats’ refusal to back a GOP proposal to maintain current funding levels.
His post on Truth Social suggests a boiling point, especially as some allies note his growing impatience with the stalemate on Capitol Hill.
Yet, despite Trump’s push, many Senate Republicans are digging in their heels, viewing the filibuster as a critical check on unchecked majority power.
Sen. John Curtis, R-Utah, posted on X, “I’m a firm no on eliminating the filibuster.”
He added, “The filibuster forces us to find common ground in the Senate. Power changes hands, but principles shouldn’t.” Well, Senator, that’s a noble stand, but when the government’s shuttered and folks can’t get paid, “common ground” starts looking like a luxury we can’t afford.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., and other top Republicans are exploring other paths to resolve the crisis, even offering concessions like a vote on extending Affordable Care Act subsidies past December.
Thune told reporters that some moderate Democrats might be seeking a way out of this mess, hinting at potential negotiations.
It’s a flicker of hope, but with the filibuster requiring at least seven Democrats to join all 53 Republicans for any funding measure, the math still looks grim.
Meanwhile, Trump has largely stayed on the sidelines of direct Capitol Hill negotiations, with White House insiders suggesting he sees little reason to dive in while pursuing his broader agenda.
After heading to Florida for the weekend, he dodged questions on the filibuster but doubled down on his stance, telling reporters, “I’m always willing to meet. All they have to do is open up the country.” It’s classic Trump—shifting the blame to Democrats while holding firm, though one wonders if a handshake could cut through this gridlock faster than a social media post.
This isn’t Trump’s first rodeo with the filibuster; during his first term, he made similar pleas, citing the same fear of Democrats flipping the script if they gain control. Some Republicans quietly muse about tweaking the rules if Democrats don’t budge on the shutdown, but most agree that rallying a majority of their own party for such a drastic change remains a long shot, even with Trump’s prodding.
