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US President Donald Trump on Tuesday warned fellow Republicans that if they “don’t do away with the filibuster,” they risk losing the 2026 midterm elections and the 2028 presidential race, paving the way for Democrats to sweep both. Trump said that unless Republicans end the filibuster — a Senate rule that allows the minority party to block legislation unless 60 senators agree to move forward — they will be unable to pass key conservative laws and will be blamed for inaction. What Is A Filibuster? A filibuster is a procedural tactic used in the US Senate to delay or block a vote on a bill or nomination. A senator (or group of senators) keeps talking endlessly. or uses other delaying moves, so that the debate drags on and the Senate can’t move to vote. This is usually done when proposed legislation lacks support. If the ruling party has 51 senators but not 60, the opposition can use the filibuster to block a law they oppose. In short, the filibuster is a Senate rule that lets the minority party stall legislation. Can Republicans ‘Kill’ Filibuster The termination of a filibuster refers to ending the prolonged debate or delay in the US Senate so that the chamber can move forward to vote on the bill or nomination being blocked. This process is officially called “invoking cloture.” What Is Trump Afraid Of? Donald Trump on Tuesday took to Truth Social to warn that Republicans may have to use the “nuclear option” and kill the filibuster. “The Democrats are far more likely to win the Midterms, and the next Presidential Election, if we don’t do the Termination of the Filibuster (The Nuclear Option!), because it will be impossible for Republicans to get Common Sense Policies done with these Crazed Democrat Lunatics being able to block everything by withholding their votes,” Trump posted on Truth Social. “FOR THREE YEARS, NOTHING WILL BE PASSED, AND REPUBLICANS WILL BE BLAMED. Elections, including the Midterms, will be rightfully brutal,” he added. “If we do terminate the Filibuster, we will get EVERYTHING approved, like no Congress in History.” He warned that Democrats would do away with the filibuster if they retake the Senate majority. He said he fears that Democrats will pass statehood for Puerto Rico and the Washington, D.C. and also prevent Republicans from passing legislation around election laws, including outlawing transgender women from competing in women’s sports and protecting gun laws. The US President highlighted that Democrats did previously attempt to alter the filibuster to pass voting rights legislation but fell two votes short. Are Republicans On Board? However, there appears to be little support within the Republican ranks for ending the filibuster, according to a report by US broadcaster The Hill. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) has maintained his opposition despite Trump’s remarks, while several other Republican senators have defended the rule as an essential safeguard that protects the rights of the minority party in the chamber.
