Here we go again, folks. Donald Trump couldn’t care less about the government staying open unless it means he gets credit for it (or someone else gets the blame). Now, he’s taken a sledgehammer to Senate process, barking at Republicans to blow up the filibuster with the “nuclear option.” Because, sure, what America needs right now is fewer checks and balances and more rule-by-temper-tantrum.

For the lucky few still blissfully unaware, the filibuster is one of the last guardrails keeping the lunatics from running the asylum. With it, passing major legislation in the Senate still, somehow, requires at least 60 votes—meaning both sides have to sort of communicate like human beings. Trump, of course, sees that as weakness. Why have democracy when you can just shout until you get your way?

Trump’s “Truth Social” rant was only the latest in a series of public freakouts. Senate Republicans—apparently all done being humiliated on cable news—begged Vice President JD Vance to convince Trump to knock it off. Did Vance succeed? Of course not. If anything, it just made things weirder.

Majority Leader John Thune has been crystal clear: The filibuster isn’t going anywhere, at least not because Trump threatens to hold his breath. Thune even called it a “bulwark against a lot of bad things”—translation: “We kind of like being able to slow walk the collapse of democracy, thanks.” Not that any of this has stopped the infighting, the government paralysis, or the endless MAGA-endorsed posturing.

Senate Democrats, meanwhile, have gone full “not my circus, not my monkeys.” They’re refusing to even consider a deal until Republicans show they can play nice—demanding, in particular, that the GOP extend crucial Affordable Care Act tax credits as part of any funding agreement. Until then? No votes. No deal. No giving in to the world’s shiniest, loudest toddler.

It’s worth remembering: just three years ago, President Biden floated ending the filibuster for a (far more noble) purpose—protecting voting rights. But that got shut down by Senator Kyrsten “I like being the center of attention” Sinema and Joe “I miss Dixiecrats” Manchin. Bottom line: this tradition gets invoked by everyone in power and cursed by anyone out. But nuking it for Trump’s ego? That’s a whole new level of stupid.

If there’s one thing worse than a government shutdown, it’s a government shutdown engineered entirely to boost Donald Trump’s cult status. He doesn’t give a damn about Americans missing paychecks or essential services; it’s all about getting his disciples chanting “MAGA” and feeling like they stuck it to the libs. This isn’t about policy. It’s about tantrums, power grabs, and dismantling every check and balance that might (barely) keep a wannabe autocrat from calling the shots.

To put it simply: if Senate Republicans fold now, they’re not just letting Trump torch the filibuster. They’re handing over the matches for whatever he wants to ignite next. If you’re tired of your country being held for ransom by narcissists and grifters, call your senator and tell them: No more games. No more MAGA extortion. Put country over cult, for once.