The Shutdown Conspiracy: Trump’s Hidden Play for Absolute Power
Trump Urges Republicans to Invoke ‘Nuclear Option’ to Break Lengthy Shutdown
As the government shutdown enters its 30th day, former President Donald Trump has urged Senate Republicans to take drastic action — calling on them to eliminate the filibuster rule and pass a funding measure using a simple majority vote to reopen the federal government.
In a fiery post Thursday on Truth Social, Trump demanded that the GOP “play their Trump Card” and stop allowing Democrats to, as he put it, “hold the country hostage” through procedural gridlock.
“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!” Trump wrote.
His message came amid growing frustration within both parties as the shutdown stretches into its fifth week, halting federal operations, delaying paychecks for hundreds of thousands of workers, and creating mounting political tension in Washington.
Trump Blames Democrats for Prolonging the Stalemate
In his post, Trump accused Democrats of using the Senate’s 60-vote threshold as a political weapon, blocking GOP-led efforts to temporarily extend government funding. He described their strategy as “sabotage” and blamed Senate Republicans for allowing it to continue.
“During my trip across Asia this week,” Trump claimed, “foreign leaders asked how Democrats could SHUT DOWN the United States of America — and why powerful Republicans were allowing it to happen.”
He characterized the shutdown as “a humiliation on the world stage,” suggesting that it made America appear weak and divided. Trump argued that Democrats were not negotiating in good faith, instead demanding what he called “a $1.5 trillion spending spree” tied to health care, immigration, and social programs.
What the ‘Nuclear Option’ Means
The “nuclear option” refers to a procedural change that would allow the Senate to pass most legislation with a simple majority of 51 votes instead of the usual 60 required to break a filibuster.
Historically, both parties have resisted extending the nuclear option to regular legislation, fearing it would erode minority party power. However, Democrats used it in 2013 to confirm most executive branch nominees, and Republicans expanded it in 2017 to cover Supreme Court confirmations.
Trump now wants the GOP to go one step further and use it for spending bills, saying the party should “use the majority they have” to restore government operations.
“Republicans have the majority. Use it,” Trump said, adding that Democrats have “lost all sense of wisdom and reality” due to what he called “Trump Derangement Syndrome.”
Senate Gridlock and Growing Pressure
Inside the Senate, frustration is mounting. Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) has repeatedly pushed for bipartisan support to pass temporary funding, known as continuing resolutions (CRs), that would maintain pre-shutdown spending levels.
But each attempt has failed to reach the 60 votes required to advance. The most recent effort fell short at 55–45, blocked again by Democrats who insist that any deal include expanded health care funding, Affordable Care Act subsidies, and aid for migrant families.
Republicans, including Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT), argue that Democrats are using the filibuster to create chaos. “At some point, Democrats can’t keep shutting down the government every time they want more money,” Lee said.
Still, some GOP senators warn against taking Trump’s advice. Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) and Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) cautioned that removing the filibuster could set a “dangerous precedent” that would eventually hurt Republicans when Democrats regain control of the chamber.
Others, like Sen. Josh Hawley (R-MO), support Trump’s hardline approach, claiming that the filibuster has become “a weapon for gridlock.”
“If Democrats want to block every effort to pay federal workers and reopen parks, then they shouldn’t be shielded by Senate rules,” Hawley said.
Shutdown Fallout Expands Nationwide
Meanwhile, the effects of the shutdown continue to ripple across the country. National parks remain closed, agencies are operating with minimal staff, and millions of Americans relying on federal programs such as SNAP and WIC face potential disruptions in benefits.
Roughly 800,000 federal employees are either furloughed or working without pay, while the economic and political costs continue to climb.
Despite these pressures, Trump insists that Republicans must hold firm, warning that giving in to Democratic demands would only invite future shutdowns.
“The Democrats are using federal workers and families as leverage,” Trump said. “They’re trying to hold the entire country hostage until they get what they want — endless spending and open borders.”
Democrats Push Back, But Pressure Builds
Senate Democrats, led by Chuck Schumer (D-NY), quickly dismissed Trump’s suggestion as reckless and undemocratic. “Ending the filibuster would destroy the Senate’s integrity,” Schumer said. “This is a power grab, plain and simple.”
Yet signs of unease are emerging within the Democratic caucus. Several moderate senators are reportedly searching for ways to break the impasse before voter frustration turns into political fallout.
Recent polls show that public anger is growing, and for the first time since the shutdown began, a narrow majority of voters now place the blame on Democrats.
A High-Stakes Gamble
For Trump, the strategy is as much political as procedural. He’s betting that pressure from voters and federal workers will push Republicans to act unilaterally — and that ending the filibuster could finally deliver the breakthrough he’s demanding.
“The American people are tired of watching Washington fail,” Trump wrote. “They want action, they want leadership, and they want results.”
Whether Senate Republicans will take that gamble remains uncertain. But one thing is clear: with the shutdown now the longest in modern U.S. history, Trump’s call for the “nuclear option” has reignited a fierce debate over how far the GOP should go to restore government operations — and at what cost to the Senate’s future.