Trump Demands GOP Employ ‘Nuclear Option’ to End Government Shutdown Amid Political Turmoil
By Eric Mack | Sunday, 02 November 2025 10:07 AM EST
President Donald Trump launched a fiery campaign urging Senate Republicans to adopt the nuclear option, demanding a simple majority vote to pass the House GOP continuing resolution. The former president claimed Democrats lack the parliamentary discipline of their counterparts and would retaliate in the future.
“Remember, Republicans, regardless of the Schumer Shutdown, the Democrats will terminate the Filibuster the first chance they get,” Trump wrote Saturday evening on Truth Social. “They will Pack the Supreme Court, pick up two States, and add at least 8 Electoral Votes.”
Senate filibuster rules require 60 votes to pass legislation outside budget reconciliation, but a simple majority—50 votes with Vice President JD Vance as the tiebreaker—could bypass these hurdles. With 53 Republican senators, 45 Democrats, and two independent lawmakers aligned with Democrats, Trump urged Republicans to act decisively.
“Don’t be WEAK AND STUPID,” Trump’s post continued. “FIGHT, FIGHT, FIGHT! WIN, WIN, WIN! We will immediately END the Extortionist Shutdown, get ALL of our agenda passed, and make life so good for Americans that these DERANGED DEMOCRAT politicians will never again have the chance to DESTROY AMERICA!”
Trump warned Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., would eventually eliminate the 60-vote filibuster threshold once Democrats regain power. He criticized Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., for failing to secure enough votes to end the shutdown, noting only Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., had opposed reopening the government.
“This is much bigger than the Shutdown, this is the survival of our Country!” Trump concluded, reiterating his call for Republicans to “play their TRUMP CARD” and eliminate the Filibuster.
Senate leaders Thune and House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., have resisted the push to go nuclear, warning of long-term consequences if Democrats regain control.
