Trump Pushes Republicans to ‘Terminate’ the Filibuster. But GOP Senate Leadership Has Opposed the Idea

President Donald Trump is pushing Republicans to eliminate the Senate filibuster via Truth Social posts Thursday, citing the partial government shutdown that began February 14 and airport delays caused by TSA staffing shortages, with wait times exceeding four and a half hours at some terminals. Acting TSA Administrator Ha Nguyen McNeill confirmed the country is experiencing "the highest wait times in TSA history." Senate Majority Leader John Thune and other top GOP leaders including John Barrasso and Tom Cotton have publicly opposed filibuster elimination, with Thune telling the Washington Examiner that the 60-vote threshold "has protected this country." The current partial shutdown, which affects only the Department of Homeland Security, is poised to break the record for longest shutdown on record this weekend unless Congress reaches a deal, while some Republicans like Sen. Ron Johnson have voiced support for Trump's position.