Topline
President Donald Trump on Thursday night urged the Republicans to use the “nuclear option” and get rid of the Senate filibuster—which would allow them to end the government shutdown and pass legislation with a simple majority—claiming the Democrats wanted to do the same when they had control of the chamber.
U.S. President Donald Trump speaks to members of the media aboard Air Force One.
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Key Facts
In a lengthy post on Truth Social, the president wrote: “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 claimed during his recently concluded trip to Asia, he kept getting asked “how did the Democrats SHUT DOWN the United States of America, and why did the powerful Republicans allow them to do it” and he also has “thought a great deal about that question, WHY?”
Trump argued that the Democrats wanted to end the filibuster when they were in power, as they knew it would give them “tremendous strength,” but were blocked by former Sens. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va, and Kyrsten Sinema, D-Ariz.
The president claimed that if Democrats had managed to get rid of the filibuster, they would have expanded the Supreme Court and granted statehood to Washington, D.C. and Puerto Rico, “and many other highly destructive things.”
Trump added: “Well, now WE are in power, and if we did what we should be doing,” it would immediately end the shutdown.
Crucial Quote
“I want to do it in order to take advantage of the Democrats…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 in his post.
What To Watch For?
While some GOP lawmakers have echoed Trump’s tone on ending the filibuster, such a move still faces significant pushback from the party’s congressional leadership. Earlier this month, Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., had rejected the idea, saying the filibuster is “something that’s been a bulwark against a lot of really bad things happening with the country.” Earlier this week, Axios reported that Vice President JD Vance has privately acknowledged that the push to end the filibuster is unlikely to have the number of votes it needs from the Republicans.
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/siladityaray/2025/10/31/get-rid-of-the-filibuster-trump-says-republicans-must-use-nuclear-option-and-end-shutdown/
