As the nation entered its 37th day under the longest government shutdown in U.S. history, political tensions in Washington reached a boiling point. Former President Donald Trump, frustrated by stalled negotiations, is now calling on Senate Republicans to take an unprecedented step — abolish the filibuster altogether. Speaking from the Oval Office, Trump declared, “It’s time to end the filibuster and get everyone back to work,” urging lawmakers to pass sweeping reforms on immigration, voter ID, and border security without Democratic support.

Behind closed doors, Senate Majority Leader John Thune has been in talks with Democrats over a short-term funding bill, but the measure still requires 60 votes — a number Trump insists is holding the country hostage. Reports suggest a heated exchange with Sen. Lindsey Graham, as Trump warned the GOP risked becoming “a dead party” if it failed to act boldly. With millions affected and federal employees still unpaid, the standoff shows no sign of easing — and Washington stands on the edge of a political reckoning.