President Donald Trump has called on Congressional Republicans to invoke the “nuclear option” by ending the Senate filibuster to bring the ongoing government shutdown to an end.
In a post on his Truth Social account Thursday night, Trump said he had reflected on questions raised by world leaders during his trip to Asia.
He claimed they asked him how Democrats were able to shut down the United States and why Republicans allowed it to happen.
“The fact is, in flying back, I thought a great deal about that question, WHY?” Trump wrote.
The president argued that Democrats had become “Crazed Lunatics that have lost all sense of WISDOM and REALITY” since losing power in Washington, D.C.
He attributed their actions to what he described as a “sick form” of Trump Derangement Syndrome.
Trump accused Democrats of wanting “Trillions of Dollars to be taken from our Healthcare System and given to others who are not deserving – People who have come into our Country illegally, many from prisons and mental institutions.”
He said Republicans would not allow that to happen, and urged them to eliminate the filibuster immediately.
“It is now time for 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!” he wrote.
The call came just hours after Trump and first lady Melania Trump hosted a Halloween event at the White House, handing out candy to children on the South Lawn.
The filibuster requires 60 votes to end debate on a bill before it can proceed to a final vote, a rule that has increasingly been used to block legislation in recent years.
With Republicans holding a 53–47 majority in the Senate, they lack the numbers to advance legislation without some Democratic support.
CNN reported that Senate Republicans have so far rejected the nuclear option, noting it could backfire the next time Democrats gain control of the chamber.
Trump argued that Democrats had themselves pushed to end the filibuster when they were in power.
“Just a short while ago, the Democrats, while in power, fought for three years to do this but were unable to pull it off,” he wrote, while praising Senate Majority Leader John Thune and House Speaker Mike Johnson for their efforts.
“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,’” Trump added.
He warned that Democrats would end the filibuster “the first day they take office” if they regain power.
The president’s call comes as millions of Americans face the loss of government assistance due to the shutdown.
Nearly 42 million citizens are set to lose Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, which provide monthly funds for groceries.
The program is scheduled to expire on Nov. 1.
Resist the Mainstream reported earlier this week on a viral social media trend of individuals threatening violence and theft amid the suspension of federal food assistance benefits.
The discussion reached mainstream attention when rapper Cardi B posted a seven-minute video addressing the SNAP suspension.
