President Trump urged Senate Majority Leader John Thune to keep the Senate in session until Republicans either pass the SAVE America Act or end the filibuster. Trump posted the demand on Truth Social and warned Democrats would act immediately if given the chance. Senate tradition and insufficient GOP support make eliminating the filibuster unlikely, and Thune says the SAVE America Act lacks the votes to clear the Senate even without the filibuster. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Trump's "patience" is running out, while Sen. Thom Tillis has labeled the bill "fundamentally flawed."
Trump Tells Thune: Cancel August Recess Or End Filibuster To Force Voter ID Bill
Trump is greeted by Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) on the tarmac after landing in Air Force One on July 03, 2026 at Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota. (Getty)
President Donald Trump intensified public pressure on Senate Majority Leader John Thune on Monday, urging him to keep the Senate in session until Republicans either pass the SAVE America Act or eliminate the filibuster so bills could pass by simple majority.
The Demand
In a post on Truth Social, Trump wrote that Thune should not allow the Senate to "leave town" until it approves the SAVE America Act or "TERMINATES THE FILIBUSTER," arguing that ending the rule would let Republicans quickly pass a slate of priorities without Democratic support.
"John Thune should not allow the United States Senate to 'leave town' until it passes The Save America Act or, far better still, TERMINATES THE FILIBUSTER, where Republicans can then quickly pass everything they ever dreamed of,"
Trump also warned that Democrats would act immediately if given the chance, writing: "The Dumocrats will do it on day one, and can't believe how lucky they got with this Senate leadership. Remember, stupidity always brings LOSING & DEATH."
Practical Obstacles
Senate rules in practice give the minority significant power: the filibuster effectively requires broad bipartisan support for most legislation by preserving extended debate and requiring 60 votes to invoke cloture. Thune has repeatedly said there are not enough votes — even among Republicans — to eliminate the filibuster. He has also stressed that the SAVE America Act currently lacks the support needed to clear the Senate whether the filibuster remains or not.
When Democrats held a narrow majority, some pushed for similar changes to Senate procedure, but the filibuster still commands backing from a critical number of senators, making its immediate elimination unlikely.
Trump is demanding the Senate change its' rules to pass a bill that would restrict voting nationwide (Truth Social)
Reactions
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters last week that Trump's "patience [was] running out" over the Senate's failure to pass what the administration describes as election-integrity legislation, urging the chamber to "do its job."
Thune responded to those remarks by saying the White House or other Republican operatives should "get on the phone and get the votes" from senators who might be persuadable, adding, "Let's get them to yes."
Some Republicans have signaled resistance to the SAVE America Act. North Carolina Sen. Thom Tillis called the bill "fundamentally flawed" and has taken credit for efforts that have slowed its progress in the Senate.
Outlook
Even if Thune were persuaded to pursue rules changes, it remains uncertain whether the SAVE America Act could assemble enough GOP support to pass. The dispute highlights the tension within the Republican conference over strategy, Senate rules and priorities heading into the midterm elections.
Photo: Trump is greeted by Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) on the tarmac after landing at Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota. (Getty)
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