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That’s how it’s done.
Senator Cory Booker, a New Jersey Democrat who has long advocated for his party to stand and fight, delivered a historic speech on the Senate floor, speaking for over 25 hours to protest President Donald Trump’s agenda. Booker began his marathon speech Monday evening, holding the floor in a display that drew admiration from fellow Democrats. His colleagues would do well to take note of how the party can still inspire voters, even in the minority, in the face of Trumpism.
“I rise tonight because I believe, sincerely, that our country is in crisis,” Booker stated at the beginning of his speech at 6:59 p.m. on Monday.
He concluded at 8:05 p.m. on Tuesday, visibly exhausted, while echoing the words of civil rights icon John Lewis: “This is a moral moment. It’s not left or right. It’s right or wrong. Let’s get in good trouble. My friend, Madam President, I yield the floor,” which drew applause from fellow Democrats.
As the Democratic Party struggles to find its way during Trump’s second term, Booker demonstrated the power of protest. His performance concluded as Democrats were losing two special House elections in heavily Republican districts in Florida. Booker’s message for Democrats seemed to be to actively use their existing powers instead of pursuing unlikely causes or hoping Republicans will yield to pressure from anyone other than Trump.
“I confess that I have been imperfect. I confess that I’ve been inadequate to the moment,” Booker said shortly before noon on Tuesday. “I confess that the Democratic Party has made terrible mistakes that gave a lane to this demagogue. I confess we all must look in the mirror and say ‘we will do better.’”
Booker, who has served in the Senate since 2013 and ran for president in 2020, broke the modern-era record for the longest speech, previously held by segregationist Strom Thurman in 1957, who used it to block civil rights legislation. The irony of Booker, a Black man whose very right to serve in the Senate contradicts the ideals that made Thurman a hero to the segregationist South, was not lost on anyone.
Since Trump’s re-election in November, Democrats’ anger has lacked direction and strategy. Earlier in the year, some party members considered cooperation on areas of potential agreement, such as infrastructure spending and trade deals. However, that optimism has largely disappeared, and little has emerged in Washington beyond the hope that state attorneys general and legislatures can fill the void.
Booker appeared to recognize this void and stepped forward to fill it.
“Twelve hours now I’m standing, and I’m still going strong because this President is wrong, and he’s violating principles that we hold dear and principles in this document that are so clear and plain,” Booker stated, holding up a copy of the Constitution roughly halfway through his speech.
Booker, a skilled orator and effective legislator, has often risen to the occasion. During his 2020 presidential campaign—which before Iowa even caucused—he found ways to push his party to reckon with tough realities. His for a monument to Black Wall Street, where a race riot a prosperous neighborhood in Tulsa, recentered a big part of the conversation about identity in the United States. Similarly, his about gun violence and racial equity at Charleston, S.C.,’s Mother Emanuel Church laid down the 2020 campaign’s high-water mark for civil rights discourse.
This week, his speech provided a similar sense of clarity, even when he was speaking to an empty chamber. Booker clearly didn’t mind, believing he was on the right path.
To be clear, a single speech, even one demonstrating endurance and commitment, won’t completely derail Trump’s agenda. Just as Booker held the Senate floor, Trump controls the Senate majority. If Trump and Senate Majority Leader John Thune strategize effectively, they can pass much of their agenda with a narrow majority, avoiding the need for Democratic support. The situation is more complex in the House, but Trump has yet to lose a significant vote under Speaker Mike Johnson, leaving Democrats feeling irrelevant and disheartened.
Booker’s demonstration gave those discouraged Democrats a reason to believe they can still mount a meaningful and dynamic opposition. The emotional impact of his protest performance on his party cannot be overstated.
“More Americans need to stand up and say enough is enough,” he urged.
The message seemed to resonate. On TikTok, Booker’s live stream received over 200 million likes. Even some Republican lawmakers expressed admiration, including Senator Ted Cruz, who famously filibustered for 21 hours in 2013 over Obamacare. “As @CoryBooker approaches my 21-hour filibuster record, I’m contemplating pulling the fire alarm….” Cruz .
However, Republicans also understood that Booker’s speech wouldn’t derail their plans for a spending plan to reach the October 1 start of the federal fiscal year. Both chambers are on track to pass differing spending , both containing spending cuts, and reconcile their differences later. This is likely to complicate matters for Republicans, but they have shown flexibility when the White House, specifically Trump, exerts pressure on lawmakers who might hesitate at this novel approach.
For his part, Booker offered only to stand and speak.
“My voice is inadequate,” Booker admitted. “My efforts today are inadequate to stop what they’re trying to do. But we the people are powerful.” Perhaps that power will meet its limits against Trumpism, but at least someone within the Democratic Party is beginning to test it.
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