President Donald Trump has intensified pressure on Senate Republicans to abolish the filibuster rule, which requires 60 votes to advance most legislation, as the government shutdown extends into record territory. At a breakfast meeting with GOP senators, the president stated:
“We have to get the country open. And the way we’re going to do it this afternoon is to terminate the filibuster.”
This call followed a series of anti-filibuster posts from Trump, including one where he declared:
“REPUBLICANS, TERMINATE THE FILIBUSTER! GET BACK TO PASSING LEGISLATION AND VOTER REFORM!”
He also accused Democrats of being “stone cold ‘crazy’” and urged the use of the “nuclear option” to eliminate the rule.
Trump’s advisors revealed he is prepared to relentlessly pressure Republicans, with reports indicating he would “make their lives a living hell,” including late-night calls and public criticism. A source described his frustration: “[Trump’s] really mad about this.”
The push comes after Democratic victories in recent elections, including wins in New Jersey, Virginia, and New York, as well as California’s redistricting measure favoring Democrats. Trump argued that abolishing the filibuster would allow Republicans to pass policies like “FAIR, FREE, and SAFE Elections” and “STRONG BORDERS.”
However, many Senate Republicans remain hesitant. Majority leader John Thune emphasized there is no clear vote count to scrap the rule, while senators like Mike Rounds and John Curtis warned that the filibuster ensures stability and cooperation. Some junior Republicans, including Josh Hawley and Tommy Tuberville, have expressed openness to ending the rule, citing its impact on constituents.
Representative Buddy Carter called the filibuster an “outdated swamp tradition,” claiming it blocks “America First policies.” Critics, however, argue the rule prevents hasty decisions and upholds the Senate’s role in deliberation.
The debate underscores a broader tension over governance, with Trump framing the filibuster as a barrier to action and its defenders viewing it as a safeguard against abrupt policy shifts.
