Donald Trump
President Trump called to 'terminate the filibuster' on Truth Social, escalating pressure on Senate Republicans as the government shutdown enters its second month. Gage Skidmore, CC BY-SA 2.0

President Donald Trump has escalated his war on Senate rules, demanding Republicans permanently scrap the filibuster while branding Democrats 'crazed lunatics' who would destroy America.

The president's explosive Truth Social posts come as the federal government shutdown stretches into its second month, paralysing essential services nationwide.

Writing in all capitals on 2 November, Trump declared: 'TERMINATE THE FILIBUSTER, NOT JUST FOR THE SHUTDOWN, BUT FOR EVERYTHING ELSE.'

He promised the move would deliver voter ID laws and other conservative priorities with simple majority votes, warning Republicans they must strike first before Democrats seize power and do it themselves.

The timing couldn't be more critical. With airports experiencing delays, national parks closed, and millions facing benefit cuts, Trump's nuclear option threatens to shatter what remains of Senate tradition.

Republicans Revolt Against Trump's Filibuster Plan

The pushback came swiftly and decisively. Senate Majority Leader John Thune shot down Trump's demand within hours, with his spokesperson confirming his position remains 'unchanged.' Thune has called the filibuster a 'bulwark against really bad things happening to the country.'

House Speaker Mike Johnson, typically a reliable ally of Trump, broke ranks dramatically. He warned that killing the rule would let Democrats:

  • Pack the Supreme Court with liberal justices
  • Add Puerto Rico and DC as states (four new Democratic senators)
  • Ban firearms nationwide
  • Impose radical climate legislation

Senator John Curtis put it bluntly on social media: 'Power changes hands, but principles shouldn't.' Fellow Republicans Roger Marshall and John Barrasso echoed similar warnings about handing Democrats unlimited power.

Trump faces near-unanimous opposition from his own party's leadership on ending the filibuster.

How the Filibuster Works and Why It Matters

The filibuster allows any senator to speak indefinitely, blocking votes unless 60 colleagues vote to end debate. With Republicans holding just 53 seats, Democrats can effectively block most legislation, despite being the minority party.

This isn't Trump's first assault on the rule. He pushed for its elimination throughout his first presidency, particularly after Republicans used the 'nuclear option' in 2017 to confirm Justice Neil Gorsuch with just 51 votes instead of 60.

The procedure has survived since the 1800s, forcing compromise between parties. Critics say it causes gridlock. Defenders argue it protects minority rights and prevents radical swings in policy every election cycle.

Only twice has the filibuster been weakened significantly - for judicial nominations (2013) and Supreme Court picks (2017).

Shutdown Politics Fuel Trump's Desperation

America's government has been shuttered since 1 October, with Democrats demanding healthcare funding protections whilst Republicans refuse negotiations. Recent polling shows 45 per cent blame Trump and the GOP for the crisis, compared to 33 per cent faulting Democrats.

The shutdown's real-world impact grows daily:

  • Federal workers missing paychecks
  • Airport security stretched thin
  • Food assistance programmes running dry
  • National monuments and parks closed indefinitely

Trump's call marks an escalation from earlier remarks urging a one-time suspension of the filibuster to end the shutdown. The president made his latest comments after returning from an Asia trip that included a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in South Korea.

Conclusion

Trump's demand to terminate the filibuster represents his most aggressive attempt yet to consolidate power in Washington. But with his own party rejecting the proposal and millions suffering from the shutdown, the president faces a stark choice: compromise with Democrats or watch his presidency grind to a halt.

The question now isn't whether the filibuster survives, but whether Trump's relationship with Senate Republicans does.

For now, the Senate remains at an impasse. With the shutdown poised to become the longest in US history, millions of Americans continue to bear the fallout of Washington's political gridlock.

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