House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., has issued a clear warning against President Donald Trump’s push to eliminate the Senate filibuster as a means to end the government shutdown. During a press conference on Friday, Johnson acknowledged Trump’s frustration with the ongoing impasse but cautioned against the potential consequences of removing the filibuster. He emphasized that the filibuster has long been viewed as a critical safeguard, and if Republicans were to dismantle it, the Democrats could later use the same mechanism to pass progressive policies, effectively sidelining the GOP.
Johnson’s comments come as President Trump has expressed growing frustration with the government shutdown, which has now entered its 31st day. In a late-night post on his Truth Social platform, Trump demanded that the Senate ‘go nuclear’ by eliminating the filibuster and the 60-vote threshold required to pass legislation. He criticized Senate Democrats for their resistance, highlighting how they had previously fought to remove the filibuster but failed due to the influence of moderate senators like Joe Manchin of West Virginia and Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona.
While Johnson interpreted Trump’s remarks as an expression of frustration rather than a direct call to action, he warned that the GOP’s removal of the filibuster could set a dangerous precedent. He noted that the Democrats have consistently advocated for the use of the filibuster to block legislation they oppose, and if Republicans were to eliminate it, the Democrats could later use the same mechanism to pass progressive policies, effectively sidelining the GOP. Johnson stressed that the decision to modify the, the legislative process remains a Senate chamber issue rather than something the House speaker can influence.
Despite Trump’s push, the likelihood of the Senate GOP following through on such a drastic move remains low. Senate Majority Leader John Thune’s spokesperson, Ryan Wrasse, reiterated that Thune’s position on the importance of the legislative filibuster has remained unchanged. However, the pressure from Trump and other Republican leaders continues to mount, as the shutdown has placed significant strain on federal operations and services. The situation remains fluid, with the potential for further political maneuvering as both parties vie for control of the legislative agenda.