PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: President Donald J. Trump called for Senate Republicans to eliminate the filibuster to end the government shutdown.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: President Trump, House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA), Senate Majority Leader John Thunen (R-SD), and Senate Republicans.

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📍WHEN & WHERE: Thursday, during the 31st day of the government shutdown.

💬KEY QUOTE: “It is now time for the Republicans to play their ‘TRUMP CARD,’ and go for what is called the Nuclear Option — Get rid of the Filibuster, and get rid of it, NOW!” – President Trump

🎯IMPACT: Trump’s call renews debate over the filibuster as a method to resolve the ongoing government shutdown.

President Donald J. Trump has urged Senate Republicans to use the so-called “nuclear option” to end the filibuster, circumventing Senate Democrats and funding the government. The House has already passed a temporary funding bill, but the Senate has failed to reach the 60-vote threshold to advance the legislation due to Democrats withholding their votes. The shutdown has now reached its 31st day, nearing a record.

Trump called for Republicans to use the “Nuclear Option” and eliminate the filibuster. “It is now time for the Republicans to play their ‘TRUMP CARD,’ and go for what is called the Nuclear Option — Get rid of the Filibuster, and get rid of it, NOW! Just a short while ago, the Democrats, while in power, fought for three years to do this, but were unable to pull it off because of Senators Joe Manchin of West Virginia and Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. He argued that Democrats would end the filibuster if they were in power and that Republicans should act now while they have the chance.

“The one question that kept coming up, however, was how did the Democrats SHUT DOWN the United States of America, and why did the powerful Republicans allow them to do it? The fact is, in flying back, I thought a great deal about that question, WHY?” Trump wrote.

The America First leader continued: “Well, now WE are in power, and if we did what we should be doing, it would IMMEDIATELY end this ridiculous, Country destroying ‘SHUT DOWN.’ 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.”

Trump added: “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!”

The National Pulse has previously reported that Sens. Bernie Moreno (R-OH) and John Fetterman (D-PA) have backed a push to end the filibuster. However, some longtime Capitol Hill observers warn that Republicans moving to end the filibuster may actually be the outcome Democrats desire most. After it emerged that Senate Democrats remain mostly unified in opposition to reopening the government, Liam Donovan—a former congressional staffer and executive with consulting firm Targeted Victory—argues: “They want Rs to nuke. They’d settle for a price. But that’s what this is meant to signal—nuke it, we’re not budging.”

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