Trump calls on GOP to abolish filibuster, open government

President Donald Trump has called for the Senate GOP to initiate the "nuclear option" to get rid of the filibuster in order to pass a clean continuing resolution (CR) to open the government back up after Democrats have voted for several weeks to keep it shut down. 

Trump posted to Truth Social, "I just got back from Asia where I met the Leaders of many Countries, including China, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Singapore, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, and others. It was a Great Honor to meet them but, more particularly, to see that America is respected again — RESPECTED LIKE NEVER BEFORE! Great Trade Deals were made, Long Term relationships now exist, and money is pouring into our Country because of Tariffs and, frankly, the Landslide Results of the 2024 Presidential Election. The one question that kept coming up, however, was how did the Democrats SHUT DOWN the United States of America, and why did the powerful Republicans allow them to do it? The fact is, in flying back, I thought a great deal about that question, WHY?"

He added that House Speaker Mike Johnson, as well as Senate Majority Leader John Thune, have been doing a good job, but that Democrats "have lost all sense of WISDOM and REALITY" regarding the shutdown. 

"They want Trillions of Dollars to be taken from our Healthcare System and given to others, who are not deserving — People who have come into our Country illegally, many from prisons and mental institutions. This will hurt American citizens, and Republicans will not let it happen. 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! Just a short while ago, the Democrats, while in power, fought for three years to do this, but were unable to pull it off because of Senators Joe Manchin of West Virginia and Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona," Trump added. 

He said that the Democrats want to pack the Supreme Court, make Puerto Rico and DC states so that there are four more Senate seats for Dems, and other points. 

"If the Democrats ever came back into power, which would be made easier for them if the Republicans are not using the Great Strength and Policies made available to us by ending the Filibuster, the Democrats will exercise their rights, and it will be done in the first day they take office, regardless of whether or not we do it. In addition to all of the other things we would get, such as the best Judges, the best U.S. Attorneys, the best of everything, this was a concept from years ago of then President Barack Hussein Obama and former Majority Leader Harry Reid in order to take advantage of the Republicans. Now 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!" he added. 

The government has been shut down for several weeks now, and SNAP benefits are set to end this week, putting pressure on lawmakers to end the shutdown. With the ending of the filibuster in the Senate, a simple majority would be able to pass legislation. Usually in the chamber, 60 votes are needed to overcome the filibuster and pass a bill.