WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump has intensified calls to end the partial federal government shutdown by urging Senate Republicans to abolish the Senate filibuster, a procedural rule that requires a 60-vote threshold to advance legislation. Despite Trump’s strong demand, Republican leadership has firmly rejected the proposal, maintaining their opposition to changing the Senate rules.
On October 30, 2025, after returning from a week-long diplomatic trip to Asia, which included meetings with leaders in Malaysia, Japan, South Korea, and a notable summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping, Trump issued a forceful message on his social media platform, Truth Social.
“THE CHOICE IS CLEAR — INITIATE THE ‘NUCLEAR OPTION,’ GET RID OF THE FILIBUSTER,” Trump posted, advocating for the Senate Republican majority to use the so-called nuclear option to eliminate the filibuster, thereby enabling them to bypass Democrats and reopen the government immediately.
The government shutdown, which began on October 1, has now stretched into its 31st day, approaching the 35-day record shutdown during Trump’s previous term. The standoff arises from Democratic demands for an extension of health care subsidies, which Republicans have resisted. The Senate is currently divided with 53 Republicans and 47 Democrats, but the filibuster rule gives the minority Democrats enough votes to block legislation and prolong the shutdown.
Trump, who has long campaigned for ending the filibuster dating back to his first term, emphasized that Republicans should act decisively or risk Democrats doing so first when they regain power. He warned, “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.”
However, Senate Majority Leader John Thune and numerous other Republicans quickly dismissed Trump’s call. Thune’s office reiterated that his position on maintaining the filibuster remains unchanged. The filibuster, they argue, is vital to preserving Senate traditions and has historically allowed Republicans to block Democrat policies when in the minority.
Republican leaders express concern that scrapping the filibuster could destabilize the Senate’s legislative process and potentially escalate partisan conflicts. As a result, there is currently insufficient support within the Senate GOP caucus to pursue this controversial procedural change.
The shutdown’s protracted nature continues to impact millions of Americans, heightening pressure on lawmakers from both parties to reach a resolution. Trump’s dramatic reentry into the shutdown debate signals deepening frustrations within the Republican Party amid growing calls for decisive action.
As negotiations remain deadlocked, the Senate now faces mounting uncertainty. Trump’s push to eliminate the filibuster could either compel senators toward compromise or trigger further gridlock and institutional tension.