Trump Taunts Democrats, Demands GOP ‘Blow Up’ Filibuster To Advance Agenda
President Donald Trump took aim at Senate Democrats on Saturday, declaring their ranks were “cracking like dogs” amid the ongoing government shutdown — and he doubled down on his call for Senate Republicans to scrap the filibuster entirely to push through long-stalled conservative priorities.
In a fiery Truth Social post, Trump urged his party to eliminate the 60-vote threshold in the Senate, arguing that ending the procedural hurdle was essential whether or not a deal was reached to reopen the government.
“The Democrats are cracking like dogs on the Shutdown because they are deathly afraid that I am making progress with the Republicans on TERMINATING THE FILIBUSTER!” Trump wrote. “Whether we make a Deal or not, THE REPUBLICANS MUST ‘BLOW UP’ THE FILIBUSTER, AND APPROVE HUNDREDS OF LONG SOUGHT, BUT NEVER GOTTEN, POLICY WINS LIKE, AS JUST A SMALL EXAMPLE, VOTER ID (IDENTIFICATION).”
“Only a LOSER would not agree to doing this!” he added.
The push comes as Senate Democrats attempt to regain footing amid growing frustration from voters. On Friday, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) proposed a one-year extension of Obamacare subsidies as part of a short-term funding bill to end the shutdown. But Republicans quickly dismissed the idea.
Senator Markwayne Mullin (R-OK) said the proposal was “dead on arrival,” and Senator John Kennedy (R-LA) offered a more pointed reaction during an appearance on Fox News.
“God, please give me patience,” Kennedy said, “because if you give me strength, I’m going to need bail money. What Senator Schumer is suggesting is that we do the dumbest thing possible that won’t work.”
House Democrats haven’t embraced the offer either. A month ago, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) rejected the same deal outright, calling it “laughable.”
Trump’s comments amplify the growing pressure within the Republican base to jettison the filibuster altogether — a move Democrats championed themselves just a few years ago when President Biden occupied the White House. But now that Trump holds power and Republicans control both chambers, Democrats have reversed course.
CNN’s Dana Bash grilled Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-MD) on that hypocrisy Friday. Raskin, clearly uncomfortable, dodged the question and ultimately said that since he wasn’t a senator, his opinion “no longer mattered.”
Trump and his allies believe the moment is ripe for transformation. By scrapping the filibuster, the GOP could push through legislation on voter ID, border security, health care reform, and other major initiatives without needing Democratic support. And with Democrats splintering over how to end the shutdown, Trump sees an opportunity to finish what he started in his first term.
The shutdown, now stretching well over a month, shows no signs of ending as both sides dig in. But if Trump gets his way, the stalemate could become the catalyst for a fundamental reshaping of the Senate itself.