by Our Correspondent in Washington, D.C.
In a dramatic display of endurance and political defiance, Democratic Senator Cory Booker shattered the record for the longest speech in U.S. Senate history, delivering a fiery 25-hour protest against what he described as President Donald Trump’s “unconstitutional” actions. Booker’s marathon speech, which began late Monday and lasted into the following evening, surpassed the previous record held by Strom Thurmond, who filibustered for 24 hours and 18 minutes against the Civil Rights Act of 1957.
The 55-year-old New Jersey senator, known for his impassioned oratory, remained standing throughout the speech, foregoing even bathroom breaks, as he condemned Trump’s radical cost-cutting measures and unchecked executive power. “We are in this moral moment now,” Booker declared. “This is not right or left. It is not partisanship. It is right or wrong.”
Although not a formal filibuster—since it did not obstruct Senate voting—Booker’s prolonged speech quickly became a rallying cry for Democrats, who are struggling to counter Trump’s aggressive agenda. The president’s policies, particularly his drastic budget cuts spearheaded by top advisor Elon Musk, have alarmed many lawmakers, with Booker warning that “institutions which are special in America… are being recklessly – and I would say even unconstitutionally – affected, attacked, even shattered.”
Throughout his historic speech, Booker mixed serious political critique with moments of levity, even joking about his physical endurance. “I want to go a little bit past this and then I’m going to deal with some of the biological urgencies I’m feeling,” he quipped. He also recited poetry, discussed sports, and fielded questions from colleagues to sustain the momentum.
Fellow Democratic lawmakers praised Booker’s dedication, with Senator Raphael Warnock personally thanking him on the Senate floor: “I just want to thank you for holding vigil for this country all night.”
Democrats, who are in the minority in both the Senate and House of Representatives, have faced challenges in halting Trump’s push to downsize government, ramp up deportations, and dismantle long-standing political norms. Booker’s prolonged address marks the first deliberate attempt by Senate Democrats to disrupt business under Trump’s administration, signaling their resolve to push back against his sweeping reforms.
As the speech concluded, the Senate Press Gallery posted a simple but telling update: “Next vote: TBA.” While Booker’s record-breaking speech may not have immediately changed policy, it has galvanized opposition and underscored the high stakes in the ongoing battle over the direction of the U.S. government.
