Sen. Booker Launches Filibuster, Speaks Over 17 Hours Against Trump/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Sen. Cory Booker launched a talking filibuster to protest President Trump’s agenda, remaining on the Senate floor for over 18 hours. The New Jersey Democrat criticized proposed cuts to Social Security and warned of broader threats to democracy. Colleagues assisted with procedural questions as Booker vowed not to yield the floor.
Cory Booker Launches Filibuster to Protest Trump Agenda: Quick Looks
- Sen. Cory Booker began his speech Monday evening, speaking overnight.
- Filibuster aimed at protesting Trump’s proposed budget and social cuts.
- Booker highlighted concerns over Social Security and democracy.
- Received procedural help from fellow Senate Democrats Tuesday morning.
- Booker vowed to speak “as long as physically able.”
- Senate record still held by Strom Thurmond (24 hours, 1957).
- Booker is in his second Senate term and ran for president in 2020.
Deep Look: Cory Booker Delivers Marathon Senate Speech Against Trump Agenda
In a dramatic display of protest, Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ) took to the Senate floor Monday evening to launch a rare, all-night talking filibuster, vowing to speak “as long as physically able” in opposition to what he described as a “dangerous” and “urgent” threat to American democracy posed by President Donald Trump’s administration.
By Tuesday morning, Booker had spoken for more than 18 continuous hours, drawing national attention and support from Democratic colleagues who helped him maintain the floor by interjecting with procedural questions.
A Protest Against Cuts and Authoritarianism
Booker framed his filibuster as a stand not just against specific policies, but against a broader erosion of democratic norms under Trump.
“These are not normal times in our nation,” Booker said as he opened his speech. “And they should not be treated as such in the United States Senate. The threats to the American people and American democracy are grave and urgent, and we all must do more to stand against them.”
One of his primary concerns was Trump’s proposed cuts to Social Security services and fears of deeper reductions to the social safety net, despite assurances from Republican lawmakers that the retirement program would not be touched.
Booker called attention to the administration’s broader restructuring of federal agencies, describing it as part of a plan to undermine long-standing public programs and concentrate power.
Support From Senate Democrats
As the night wore on and into Tuesday morning, Booker received support from Democratic colleagues who helped him maintain the floor. Senate rules allow a senator to speak for extended periods as long as they do not formally yield the floor.
Senators stepped in periodically to ask Booker questions—an allowable interruption that offers relief to the speaking senator without ceding control of the floor. Booker emphasized that he would “yield for questions, but not yield the floor.”
Such cooperation is critical in maintaining a talking filibuster, a procedural tactic that has become increasingly rare in the modern Senate, where silent filibusters and procedural holds are more commonly used to delay legislation.
Context and Historical Significance
Booker’s stand comes amid escalating political tensions in Washington following the first two months of Trump’s second term. Democrats have expressed alarm over sweeping executive orders, aggressive budget cuts, and the removal of federal employee protections.
By launching a traditional talking filibuster—an old-school tactic rarely used in modern politics—Booker is aligning himself with a legacy of senators who have taken dramatic stands against legislation or presidential actions.
According to the Senate’s historical records, the longest individual speech on record belongs to Sen. Strom Thurmond, who spoke for 24 hours and 18 minutes in 1957 in an unsuccessful attempt to block the Civil Rights Act.
A Voice From the 2020 Campaign Trail
At 55, Booker is currently serving his second term in the Senate. He first gained national prominence as the mayor of Newark, then rose to further prominence with his 2020 presidential campaign, where he ran on themes of justice, unity, and civil rights.
Though he did not secure the Democratic nomination, Booker has remained an active voice in national politics, frequently speaking out on issues of racial equity, voting rights, and economic justice.
Booker’s Broader Message
Throughout the speech, Booker emphasized that the filibuster wasn’t just about opposing President Trump’s policies, but also about reclaiming the Senate’s role as a deliberative body and standing up for ordinary Americans.
He decried what he described as the erosion of government accountability, citing layoffs at key federal health and safety agencies, curtailing of union protections, and what he believes is a deliberate attempt to “hollow out government from within.”
“The Senate must be a firewall against authoritarianism,” Booker said. “And tonight, I choose to be that firewall.”
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