It used to be that when a President was caught lying, that was newsworthy and controversial. Now the newsworthy occasions are the rare times when Trump speaks the truth. One of those just happened as he posted this on Truth Social:
WE are in power, and if we did what we should be doing, it would IMMEDIATELY end this ridiculous, Country destroying 'SHUT DOWN'
He's right. If Congressional Republicans did what they should be doing - they'd either 1) actually negotiate with Dems to get a funding bill that could secure 60 votes, or 2) abolish the filibuster and take ownership of the policies they advance without Democratic votes - including the huge jump in health insurance costs millions will experience.
Of course Trump being Trump, negotiating in good faith with Democrats wasn't the option he was calling for - he's suggesting abolishing the filibuster: Between saying Democrats were "Crazed Lunatics" and claiming that statehood for DC and Puerto Rico would be highly destructive, he called on Republicans use the "nuclear option" to end the shutdown:
It is now time for the 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!
Would that be a good thing? Short term it would empower Republicans to advance more bad laws (though as we're already seeing, Trump will advance those bad policies with or without the backing of law). But getting Republican- passed laws might give voters a clear picture of who is responsible for those unpopular actions. And when the Dems regain Congress it would give them the ability - and put the pressure on them to actually use their majorities - to pass good laws. History has shown us that Dems won't abolish the filibuster when they have the majority - so should we want Republicans to do it instead, now that their dear leader has called for it?
While I'm nervous about what might be passed in the short term, Congress isn't providing any real check on Trump now anyway. And since the GOP's main goal is to cut taxes for the wealthy - which they can do under Reconciliation with a simple majority - while conversely Democratic priorities like humane immigration laws, voting rights, addressing the climate crisis, reproductive freedom, and judicial reform all require 60 votes - it might be in our long term interest to see the filibuster eliminated.
What do you think?
