President Donald Trump’s late-night call for Senate Republicans to invoke the ‘nuclear option’ and abolish the filibuster has thrown a wrench into the GOP’s shutdown strategy, potentially shifting blame onto his own party as the government closure enters its second month. In a Truth Social post on Thursday, Trump urged his party to bypass Democratic opposition by allowing legislation to pass with a simple majority, a move that Republican leaders have consistently resisted due to fears of long-term consequences.
The government shutdown, now nearly a month old, has stemmed from a stalemate over extending enhanced Obamacare subsidies, with Democrats holding firm and Republicans seeking concessions. Trump’s intervention came after a period of relative silence, with his post reading, ‘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!’ This refers to changing Senate rules to eliminate the 60-vote threshold for most legislation, enabling Republicans to pass bills on party-line votes.
However, top Republican officials immediately pushed back against the idea. Senate Majority Leader John Thune reiterated that the filibuster serves as a ‘bulwark against a lot of really bad things happening to the country,’ while House Speaker Mike Johnson warned that removing it could pave the way for Democrats to add states like Puerto Rico and D.C., potentially altering the balance of power. Their resistance highlights the deep divisions within the party over procedural norms.
Trump’s demand is not unprecedented; he has frequently called for ending the filibuster during his presidency, particularly in shutdown scenarios. In 2018, he similarly complicated negotiations by making last-minute demands, and in December, he and Elon Musk disrupted a bipartisan deal by introducing new issues. This pattern of 11th-hour interventions has frustrated congressional Republicans, who have often expressed confusion over his stance.
The political fallout is significant, as Trump’s call legitimizes Democratic arguments that Republicans could end the shutdown anytime by changing Senate rules. A recent Washington Post-ABC News poll showed 45% of Americans blame Trump and the GOP for the shutdown, compared to 33% who fault Democrats. By suggesting a simple solution that his party rejects, Trump may inadvertently reinforce this perception and weaken the GOP’s position in public opinion.
Looking ahead, Republican leaders are working to downplay Trump’s remarks, with Johnson describing them as an ‘expression of the president’s anger.’ However, the episode underscores the challenges of managing intra-party dynamics during high-stakes negotiations. If Trump continues to advocate for the nuclear option, it could force Republicans into a difficult choice between appeasing the president and maintaining institutional safeguards.
Ultimately, while the nuclear option remains unlikely to be enacted, Trump’s intervention has injected new uncertainty into the shutdown talks. It highlights the ongoing tension between presidential influence and congressional strategy, with potential implications for future governance and the stability of Senate traditions. As the shutdown drags on, all eyes are on whether GOP leaders can navigate these pressures without further alienating their base or the broader electorate.