Cory Booker Breaks Senate Speech Record in Protest Against Trump
Senator Cory Booker made history with a 25-hour and 5-minute speech on the Senate floor, protesting what he called the dangers of Donald Trump’s presidency. Booker, 55, surpassed the previous record set by Strom Thurmond, who spoke for over 24 hours in 1957 against the Civil Rights Act. “These are not normal times in our nation,” Booker declared, warning of threats to democracy and potential cuts to key programs. His speech, while not a filibuster, effectively halted Senate business, with fellow Democrats like Chuck Schumer stepping in to ask questions and give him brief vocal breaks.
During his speech, Booker invoked civil rights leader John Lewis, saying, “We got civil rights because people marched for it, sweat for it, and John Lewis bled for it.” He also criticized the administration’s impact on health care and financial stability, drawing parallels to past legislative battles. The senator prepared extensively, going without food and water beforehand to endure the grueling session. At one point, he defiantly said, “Thirteen hours? I got more in the tank,” determined to push forward despite exhaustion and muscle cramps.
In an unexpected turn, a staffer from Booker’s office, Kevin Batts, was arrested during the speech for carrying an unlicensed firearm at the U.S. Capitol. A spokesperson clarified that Batts, a retired Newark police detective, often serves as Booker’s driver, and they were working to understand the circumstances. Despite this, Booker remained focused, continuing his speech well into the following evening. When Schumer later asked if he knew he had broken the record, the chamber erupted into applause, marking a historic and defiant stand on the Senate floor.
