President Donald Trump has called on Senate Republicans to invoke the so-called “nuclear option” and eliminate the filibuster to break the Democrat shutdown that has now entered its 31st day.
Trump’s call came just four days shy of the longest shutdown in U.S. history.
While the House of Representatives has already passed a temporary funding measure, the Senate has repeatedly failed to meet the 60-vote threshold required to advance similar legislation.
The deadlock is leaving large portions of the federal government shuttered.
Trump: ‘Time for Republicans to Play Their Trump Card’
In a post on Truth Social, Trump wrote:
“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?
“The fact is, in flying back, I thought a great deal about that question, WHY?”
Trump praised House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) and Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) for their leadership.
He then called on Senate Republicans to take decisive action and end the filibuster.
“It is now time for the Republicans to play their ‘TRUMP CARD,’ and go for what is called the Nuclear Option — Get rid of the Filibuster, and get rid of it, NOW!” Trump wrote.
He pointed out that Democrats had long sought to eliminate the rule when they held power.
“Just a short while ago, the Democrats, while in power, fought for three years to do this, but were unable to pull it off because of Senators Joe Manchin of West Virginia and Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona,” he said.
“Never have the Democrats fought so hard to do something because they knew the tremendous strength that terminating the Filibuster would give them.”
Trump: Democrats Would Do the Same
Trump argued that if Democrats held the majority, they would not hesitate to scrap the filibuster and said Republicans should act now to end the shutdown and restore order.
“Well, now WE are in power, and if we did what we should be doing, it would IMMEDIATELY end this ridiculous, Country destroying ‘SHUT DOWN,’” Trump wrote.
“If the Democrats ever came back into power, which would be made easier for them if the Republicans are not using the Great Strength and Policies made available to us by ending the Filibuster, the Democrats will exercise their rights, and it will be done in the first day they take office, regardless of whether or not we do it,” he continued.
“BECAUSE OF THE FACT THAT THE DEMOCRATS HAVE GONE STONE COLD ‘CRAZY,’ THE CHOICE IS CLEAR — INITIATE THE ‘NUCLEAR OPTION,’ GET RID OF THE FILIBUSTER AND, MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!” Trump added.
Background: Democrats Once Pushed to End the Filibuster
When Kamala Harris ran for president, she joined other Democrats in calling for the abolition of the filibuster to push through nationwide abortion legislation.
That effort was backed by several Democrat senators but blocked by then–Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV).
Manchin warned that removing the 60-vote threshold would permanently damage the Senate’s role as a moderating institution.
Now, with Democrats using the filibuster to stall government funding, Trump is turning their own argument back on them.
The president is urging Republicans to use the power they have to end the stalemate and reopen the government.
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