WASHINGTON — Senate Majority Leader John Thune isn’t budging on the filibuster. His office told The Daily Wire his support remains “unchanged,” even after President Donald Trump urged Republicans to go “nuclear” and scrap the 60-vote threshold as the government shutdown hits day 31. Yes, Democrats are still playing blockade—and proud of it.
On Thursday night, Trump took to Truth Social with a clear message: “Get rid of the Filibuster, and get rid of it, NOW!” He praised GOP leaders, calling Thune and House Speaker Mike Johnson “GREAT,” while noting the obvious about the opposition: “the Democrats are Crazed Lunatics that have lost all sense of WISDOM and REALITY.” Tell us how you really feel, Mr. President.
Here’s the math Democrats love: the filibuster requires 60 votes to end debate before a final vote. Republicans hold 53 seats, and the closest they’ve come is 55—just five short of advancing the House-passed continuing resolution to reopen the government. Almost there, if a handful of Democrats could quit the grandstanding.
Trump warned that if Democrats return to power, they’d kill the filibuster “in the first day they take office,” no matter what Republicans do now. Hard to argue with that track record.
Thune, however, laid out why he opposes scrapping it. On October 10, he said the filibuster “protects” and has been “a voice for the minority.” It “gives the minority a say,” which is how the Founders shaped the Senate. Through the entire standoff, Thune’s message hasn’t wavered: five Democrats could end this shutdown today. “It’s just really not that complicated,” he said—only if you’re not addicted to theatrics.
He’s not alone. Senate Majority Whip John Barrasso also remains “unchanged.” As he told Fox & Friends, there “aren’t the Republicans that would want to support” ending the filibuster. And he reminded everyone what Democrats wanted the last time they flirted with the nuclear button: add D.C. and Puerto Rico as states (two new Democrat senators each, anyone?), expand the Supreme Court from 9 to 13, and kill voter ID. But sure—tell us more about “norms.”
Senate Republican Conference Chair Tom Cotton echoed the point on Oct. 27: “We don’t need to end the filibuster. We need five more Democrats to come to their senses and open the government. Senate Republicans will not be baited by nonsensical Democrat demands.” That’s called leverage, not capitulation.
Even Speaker Mike Johnson—who has no say on the Senate rule—underscored the tradition: the filibuster has been viewed as an “important safeguard.” Translation: checks and balances still matter, even when Democrats would prefer a rubber stamp.
Bottom line: Trump is right to demand urgency—and Republicans are right to keep the pressure on. The votes are sitting there; five Democrats just need to do their jobs and reopen the government. Keep the filibuster, hold the line, and force accountability. That’s how you govern—strong, smart, and with the American people first.
