WASHINGTON, D.C. – President Donald Trump has urged Republicans in the U.S. Senate to eliminate the filibuster rule to break the month-long government shutdown that has left millions of Americans without essential services.
In a post on social media Thursday night, Trump called on his party to invoke what he described as the “nuclear option” — a move that would allow Republicans to pass a funding bill with a simple majority, bypassing Democratic opposition.
“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.
The shutdown, which began on October 1, is now entering its 30th day — one of the longest in U.S. history. It has halted or slowed numerous government operations and left thousands of federal workers without pay.
If the standoff continues into the weekend, more than 40 million Americans risk losing access to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which provides food assistance to low-income households.
Air travel has also been disrupted, with air traffic controllers and airport staff working without pay, raising concerns about flight safety and delays.
Despite Trump’s appeal, Senate Majority Leader John Thune has resisted calls to change the chamber’s 60-vote threshold for most legislation, warning that scrapping the filibuster could undermine the Senate’s tradition of protecting minority rights.
Lawmakers from both parties have long cautioned that eliminating the rule could backfire, particularly when control of Congress shifts.
“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 added.
The shutdown began after Democrats refused to back a Republican stopgap funding measure unless it included an extension of healthcare subsidies for low-income Americans — a demand the GOP rejected as unrelated to the spending bill.
Most senators had already left Washington for the weekend by Friday, with no sign of a breakthrough.
It remains unclear whether Trump’s push will gain traction among Senate Republicans, many of whom fear that ending the filibuster would give Democrats unchecked power if they regain control of Congress.
In recent years, both parties have narrowed the scope of the rule. During Joe Biden’s presidency, Democrats considered abolishing it to pass voting rights and abortion access legislation but failed to unite behind the proposal.
The Senate has already made exceptions allowing some presidential nominees, including judges, to be confirmed by a simple majority.
