ISTANBUL 

US President Donald Trump intensified his demand Tuesday for Republicans to eliminate the Senate filibuster, warning the party will suffer electoral losses if it cannot pass legislation while Democrats block their agenda.

"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," Trump wrote on his social media platform Truth Social.

The filibuster requires 60 votes in the 100-seat Senate to pass most legislation, forcing Republicans to win over several Democratic votes despite their 53-seat majority.

Trump predicted Republicans would be blamed for inaction if the rule remains. "For three years, nothing will be passed, and Republicans will be blamed. Elections, including the midterms, will be rightfully brutal," he wrote.

Eliminating the filibuster would allow Republicans to pass their agenda, Trump argued.

"Terminate the filibuster now, end the ridiculous shutdown immediately, and then, most importantly, pass every wonderful Republican policy," Trump wrote.

Both parties have been reluctant to eliminate the filibuster on concerns about what happens when the opposing party gains control.

The federal government shutdown began Oct. 1 after Congress failed to pass appropriations legislation for the 2026 fiscal year.