The filibuster explained and why Trump wants to get rid of it despite resistance from his own Republican Party
Donald Trump wants to wield the sword of power once again and cut off any appendage of US society that does not conform to his authoritarian views.
Once again, Mr Trump wants to wrap his perfectly well hand around the grip of the presidential sword, raise it over his locks so lush that they make Prince Charming look like Dave Hill from Slade, and slam the blade down on the dastardly limpet of democratic (small ‘d’) politics clinging onto the United States.
In other words: he wants to get rid of the filibuster.
At its core, the filibuster is a Senate rule that makes it harder for the majority party to push through legislation without some cooperation from the minority. In most cases, senators need 60 votes to end debate and move to a final vote on a bill.
That means even if one party holds a slim majority, they still need some support from the other side to get things done. It’s a rule designed to slow things down and prevent one party from dominating the chamber.
US Senate Republicans rebuffed President Trump’s call to end the longest government shutdown in history by terminating the filibuster, a rare rejection of his demands https://t.co/EF09Lehiyv pic.twitter.com/Ay7gQTCM2I
— Reuters (@Reuters) November 6, 2025
Basically, it’s the fundamental safety mechanism that keeps democracy in place and prevents one-party authoritarianism.
The man elected to serve the people, however, has never been a fan of democracy, and wants to rip it up.
As the government faces yet another partial shutdown, he’s decided not to solve the problem but instead renew his online cloud-aimed calls to scrap the filibuster. His argument is straightforward: if his Republican army controls both the White House and Congress, they will be able to pass their priorities with a simple majority of 51 votes, instead of the tried and tested fair majority vote. But remember, this man wants to help you.
Trump's post on Truth Social:
“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!”
Trump: "It's time for Republicans to do what they have to do and that's terminate the filibuster ... we should start tonight with 'the country's open, congratulations,' then we should pass voted ID, we should pass no mail in voting ... you go to a grocery store, you have to give… pic.twitter.com/qgIhY9Ge8z
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) November 5, 2025
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However, Trump is not the all-powerful GOP voice that he believes he is. Many Republican senators see the filibuster rightly as a safeguard that protects whichever party finds itself in the minority. Even though they know that if Democrats regain control, they would lose one of their key tools to block legislation they oppose. As well as that, there are still some members of the GOP who believe in American democracy and the principles upon which the country was founded. And of course Mike Johnson declined to comment.
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