President Donald Trump urged Congressional Republicans to consider using the ‘nuclear option’ to eliminate the filibuster and resolve the ongoing government shutdown.

During his recent engagements with global leaders in Asia, Trump asserted that a recurring question was, “How did the Democrats manage to shut down the United States, and why did the Republicans let it happen?”

These inquiries from international counterparts seemed to give the president something to ponder.

“As I was flying back, that question lingered in my mind: WHY?” he shared in a detailed post on his Truth Social page on Thursday evening.

Trump went on to accuse the Democrats of being “Crazed Lunatics devoid of any sense of WISDOM and REALITY” following their loss of power in Washington D.C.

He described their behavior as a “sick form” of what he termed the “legendary” Trump Derangement Syndrome (TDS), which he believes stems from their substantial political losses.

‘They want Trillions of Dollars to be taken from our Healthcare System and given to others who are not deserving – People who have come into our Country illegally, many from prisons and mental institutions,’ the president claimed.

‘That will hurt American citizens and Republicans will not let it happen.

‘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!’ 

In his Truth Social post Thursday night, Trump noted that Democrats have previously called for an end to the filibuster

He praised the work of House Speaker Mike Johnson and Senate Majority Leader John Thune, but argued more needed to be done

Senate Republicans have thus far ruled out changing the rules in the chamber to eliminate the 60 vote threshold needed for passing legislation. 

Republicans currently hold a 53 – 47 majority in the Senate and a 219 – 213 majority in the House of Representatives. 

Those who have opposed the measure argue that it would benefit Democrats the next time they take power, according to CNN.  

But in his post Thursday night, Trump pointed out that Democrats have previously called for an end to the filibuster.

‘Just a short while ago, the Democrats, while in power, fought for three years to do this but were unable to pull it off,’ Trump wrote, as he praised Majority Leader John Thune and House Speaker Mike Johnson for their work.

‘Well now WE are in power and if we did what we should be doing, it would IMMEDIATELY end this ridiculous Country destroying “SHUT DOWN.”‘ 

‘If the Democrats ever came back into power, which would be made easier for them if the Republicans are not using the Great Strength and Policies made available to us by ending the filibuster, the Democrats will exercise their rights and it will be done in the first day they take office, whether or not we do it,’ Trump claimed. 

President Donald Trump called on Congressional Republicans to deploy the ‘nuclear option’ of ending the filibuster to bring the government shutdown to an end

Trump’s mandate for Republicans comes as nearly 42 million citizens are set to lose their Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits.

SNAP, the program that loads monthly funds onto a debit card for recipients to buy groceries, is set to expire on November 1.

The average monthly SNAP benefit is $187 per person. However, without a vote to end the government shutdown, that stipend won’t be dispensed.

On Wednesday, Majority Leader Thune tore into Democrats – claiming they are to blame for the lapse in SNAP benefits.

Thune had previously claimed the Senate had voted 13 times to reopen the government, but the left flat-out rejected the deals. 

However, critics have slammed the Trump administration for blocking billions in approved emergency funding that could have kept SNAP alive during the shutdown under the Department of Agriculture’s contingency plan. 

Trump’s mandate for Republicans comes as nearly 42 million citizens are set to lose their Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits

The program, which loads monthly funds onto a debit card for recipients to buy groceries, is set to expire on November 1. Members of the Federal Unionists Network and other unions and activist groups are pictured rallying in front of the U.S. Department of Agriculture on the National Mall during the 30th day of the federal government shutdown

Some groups have organized to help feed those whose benefits are set to expire

Another government aid program at risk as soon as next week is WIC, the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children, which provides food assistance specifically for pregnant women, new mothers and young children. 

The Trump administration has already rerouted $300 million in proceeds from tariff revenue to provide additional funding to keep the program afloat after previously allocated funds were scheduled to run out earlier in October.

Amid the political dysfunction in Washington DC that may lead to the longest government shutdown in history, some governors – particularly in red states – have decided to step up and provide food benefits.

Governors of Virginia, Vermont and Louisiana have ‘pledged to backfill food aid for recipients even while the shutdown stalls the federal program, though state-level details haven’t been announced.’

Rep. Don Beyer, a Democrat from Virginia, speaks during a rally with faith leaders, food bank workers, and furloughed federal employees in front of the U.S. Department of Agriculture

California Governor Gavin Newsom and New York Governor Kathy Hochul, both Democrats, have also made moves to stock up food banks across their states.

Hochul said she’s fast-tracking $30 million in emergency food aid, while Newsom is releasing $80 million and deploying the National Guard to help run food banks – though some locations have turned down the troops’ assistance. 

The Trump Administration has noted that states that choose to spend money on their food programs will not be reimbursed for their actions.