On Monday, March 31st, Cory Booker, a Democratic Senator from New Jersey, led a 25 hour and 4 minute filibuster, from 7:46 pm to 8:04 pm on April 1st. This set the record for the longest running occupation of the senate floor, and it served as a protest against Donald Trump and his early presidency decision-making. The act seemed to have worked, as his concluding remarks were met with applause, and people took to social media to praise him for his bravery and endurance.
Donald Trump’s early presidency has been filled with sweeping policy changes, including massive cuts to the federal workforce, an increase in deportations, and widespread tariffs. Democratic lawmakers have been facing backlash from their fellow party members as they believe that they should be responding more forcefully to the Trump administration. Throughout his over 1-day-long speech, Booker fervently urged Americans to realize the “grave and urgent” threat that Trump poses to the nation, as he believes many Americans are now facing unnecessary hardship due to unconstitutional tactics by Trump.
Cory Booker’s speech was not delivered without difficulty and backlash, though. To maintain control of the Senate floor, Booker had to abstain from bathroom breaks as well as from leaving his desk. His only break was at noon on April 1st, when the Senate chaplain led a prayer thanking all of those in the room for their patience, compliance, and support. Booker also spoke about the difficulty and fatigue he was feeling throughout his speech, and mentioned his hero, former civil rights activist, John Lewis, when he quoted him saying “Get in good trouble, necessary trouble, help redeem the soul of America.” Booker received backlash for his stand from White House spokesperson Harrison Fields, who said Booker is looking for his “I am Spartacus” moment, but is just simply a spoof.
It is difficult to see the true impact of Cory Booker’s speech just hours after his finishing, but he has made history by eclipsing the former segregationist Strom Thurmond’s record, who delivered a 24 hour and 18 minute speech in opposition to the Civil Rights Act of 1957. Booker’s speech has been highly praised for “canceling out” Thurmond’s speech, instead advocating for democracy and the rights of US citizens. It will be interesting to see if Booker’s speech will spur fellow Democrats to be more bold and incisive with their actions and protests towards President Donald Trump.