Thune Stands Firm on Filibuster as Trump Presses for “Nuclear Option”

The office of Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., stated Friday that his support for the filibuster remains “unchanged” despite President Donald Trump’s call to eliminate it. Trump has urged Thune to employ the “nuclear option”—a move to abolish the Senate filibuster rule and lower the chamber’s 60-vote threshold—to reopen the government.

Thune’s office emphasized that his stance on the legislative filibuster has not shifted, following reports of Trump’s push. The senator previously dismissed the idea as a “bad idea” and aligned with House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., who also opposed using the tactic to end the shutdown. Johnson remarked, “If the shoe was on the other foot, I don’t think our team would like it.”

The filibuster requires 60 Senate votes to pass most legislation, a rule Republicans have historically defended. With a 53-47 majority in the chamber, Thune has consistently advocated for preserving the tradition. During his leadership campaign and inaugural speech, he underscored the importance of maintaining the Senate’s structure, calling it essential to “preserving the Founders’ vision.”

While Thune’s team and most GOP senators oppose eliminating the filibuster, some Republicans have floated the idea. Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala., described it as a “viable option,” while Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla., suggested Democrats would “force” Republicans to act. Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., argued, “I’m not willing to see children in my state go hungry… over some Senate procedure.”

Trump’s latest call followed Senate Democrats’ 13th vote to keep the government closed. The debate highlights deepening divisions within the Republican Party as efforts to resolve the shutdown intensify.