Trump Urges Senate Republicans to Use Nuclear Option Amid Shutdown Deadlock

By Eric Mack | Sunday, 02 November 2025 10:07 AM EST

President Donald Trump escalated his demands for Senate Republicans to invoke the nuclear option, pushing for a simple majority vote to pass the House GOP continuing resolution. Trump argued that Democrats lack the parliamentary discipline of Republicans and would eventually retaliate against the GOP.

“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.”

Under current Senate filibuster rules, 60 votes are required to pass legislation outside of budget reconciliation. With 53 Republican senators, 45 Democrats, and two independent lawmakers who align with Democrats, Trump urged Republicans to act decisively. “Don’t be WEAK AND STUPID,” his post continued. “FIGHT, FIGHT, FIGHT! WIN, WIN, WIN!”

Trump warned that failing to end the “extortionist shutdown” would allow Democrats to dismantle Republican priorities. “Republicans, you will rue the day that you didn’t TERMINATE THE FILIBUSTER!!!” he wrote. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., has only opposed government shutdowns when Democrats hold power, Trump claimed, predicting future Democratic efforts to eliminate the 60-vote threshold.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., has secured some Democratic support to end the shutdown but remains five votes short under regular order. Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., has opposed reopening the government, contributing to the longest full shutdown in U.S. history.

Trump first called on Republicans to “play their Trump card” earlier this week, urging them to eliminate the filibuster immediately. However, Thune and House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., rejected the proposal, warning of long-term consequences for Congress.