WASHINGTON: Democratic Senator Cory Booker from New Jersey delivered a powerful and marathon speech on Tuesday, accusing President Donald Trump of endangering the nation’s democratic institutions. The speech, which lasted 25 hours and 5 minutes, shattered a nearly 70-year-old record for the longest continuous speech.
Booker, 55, criticized President Trump and his billionaire adviser, Elon Musk, for their efforts to significantly reduce the size of the federal government. He condemned the reckless and unconstitutional attacks on U.S. institutions, which he believes are being dismantled by the Trump administration.
During the speech, Booker surpassed the previous record set by Senator Strom Thurmond, who in 1957 filibustered against civil rights legislation for 24 hours and 18 minutes. Although Booker’s speech was not a filibuster, he continued speaking after surpassing the record.
Booker, a Black senator, often referred to the late Congressman John Lewis’s call to get into “good trouble” as he addressed Trump’s policies and the negative impacts they had on the American people. He decried Trump’s moves to cut government agencies, including the Department of Education, and his attempts to undermine the authority of federal courts.
Booker acknowledged growing frustration within the Democratic Party, especially among voters who felt their leaders were not doing enough to stand up to Trump. At one point, Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer interrupted Booker, reminding him that he had broken the record. Booker, showing signs of exhaustion, wiped his eyes before continuing.
A significant portion of Booker’s speech targeted Elon Musk, criticizing his role in pushing to shrink the federal government. He argued that the Trump administration, with Musk’s backing, was plunging the nation into chaos, citing the harmful effects of Trump’s trade policies on American families.
By the speech’s final hours, most Democratic senators were seated in the chamber, while Republicans remained mostly absent. Booker urged Congress to act as a check on the president and to listen to the people’s concerns.
He concluded with an emotional plea, calling on both parties to rise above partisan lines in this “moral moment” for the country. “It’s not left or right. It’s right or wrong,” he said before yielding his time.
