United States Senator Cory Booker has made history by delivering the longest speech in U.S. Senate history, speaking for over 25 hours to protest President Donald Trump’s policies. The New Jersey Democrat shattered the previous record set by segregationist Senator Strom Thurmond in 1957.
Booker began his speech on Monday evening, invoking the words of late civil rights leader John Lewis: “Good trouble, necessary trouble.” He vowed to disrupt Senate proceedings for as long as physically possible, declaring, “Our country is in crisis.”
A Historic Filibuster
With only brief pauses to take questions, Booker spoke for 25 hours and 4 minutes—46 minutes longer than Thurmond’s infamous filibuster against the Civil Rights Act. He criticized the Trump administration for its “reckless” attacks on democratic institutions and condemned cuts to federal agencies, including reductions in Social Security Administration staff under Trump ally Elon Musk.
White House Responds
A White House spokesperson dismissed Booker’s speech as a political stunt, referencing his 2018 “I am Spartacus” moment during Brett Kavanaugh’s Supreme Court confirmation hearings. “When will he realize he’s not Spartacus—he’s a spoof?” said Harrison Fields.
A Call to Action
As he concluded his marathon speech, Booker again cited John Lewis, emphasizing the importance of resisting “business as usual” in times of crisis. His record-breaking stand has drawn both praise from Democrats and criticism from Republicans, highlighting the deep political divisions in Washington.
