President Donald Trump on Thursday escalated pressure on Senate Republicans, renewing calls for them to “TERMINATE THE FILIBUSTER” as negotiations over a Department of Homeland Security funding deal remain stalled.
In posts on Truth Social, Trump argued Republicans should move to eliminate the 60-vote threshold required to advance most legislation in the Senate, framing the procedural change as necessary to break what he described as Democratic obstruction headed by Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY).
“Chuck Schumer, a desperate, crippled politician, who has lost control of the Radical Left Democrats, will make a deal now because he thinks that if he doesn’t,” Trump said, “Republicans will TERMINATE THE FILIBUSTER, something which they should do whether he makes a deal or not!!!”
In subsequent posts, Trump repeated the demand in all caps to “TERMINATE THE FILIBUSTER” and urged GOP senators to act unilaterally.
“When is ‘enough, enough’ for our Republican Senators. There comes a time when you must do what should have been done a long time ago, and something which the Lunatic Democrats will do on day one, if they ever get the chance,” Trump said. “TERMINATE THE FILIBUSTER, and get our airports, and everything else, moving again. Also, add the complete, all five items, SAVE AMERICA ACT items.”
The comments come as lawmakers remain deadlocked over funding for the Department of Homeland Security, with disagreements centered on immigration enforcement, border security provisions, and broader spending priorities. Democrats have refused to pass the spending bill because it would also fund Immigration and Customs Enforcement, which they argue needs reform.
Without a deal, the Transportation Security Administration, which operates under DHS, has not been funded, leaving workers without pay. The shutdown has caused turmoil for travelers as security lines at some airports have been hours long and hundreds of TSA workers have quit.
The filibuster, a long-standing Senate rule, requires 60 votes to overcome procedural hurdles and move legislation to a final vote. Republicans, who do not hold a filibuster-proof majority, would need near-unanimous support within their party to eliminate or weaken it.
THE ‘TALKING FILIBUSTER,’ EXPLAINED
In his posts, Trump also referenced his Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act, a broad set of policies that include requiring proof of citizenship to register to vote.
Trump has urged Senate Republicans to repeal the chamber’s filibuster rules to pass the SAVE Act. He argued that doing so would allow Republicans to pass legislation more quickly.