Senator Cory Booker made history with his 25 hour and 5 minute long speech at the Senate chamber.
He surpassed the previous record held by South Carolina Senator Strom Thurmond. Thurmond has since been referred to as a “segregationist” because he spoke to prohibit the passing of the Civil Rights Act of 1957, whereas Senator Booker spoke to express his concerns of the current President’s agenda.
Sen. Booker of New Jersey is the first black senator for the state. He is a democratic politician who advocates for social justice, quality and affordable healthcare and criminal justice reform.
He intended his speech to serve as a plea to draw the eyes of the American people to the president’s lack of regard for the fundamentals of the nation in his first 71 days of office.
Booker has continuously voiced his disapproval with President Trump’s policies. On April 1, he set out to make his views heard by not only the Senate chamber, but by the whole world.
The senator live-streamed the whole speech on Tik Tok, drawing more than 200 million likes.
Booker began his speech by saying he would talk “for as long as I am physically able.” He only broke when other senators had questions or remarks.
Booker voiced his belief that the Trump administration is a threat to all Americans, whether you identify with the Democratic Party or the Republican Party.
“I rise tonight because I believe sincerely that our country is in crisis,” Booker said. “I believe that not in a partisan scene, because so many of the people that have been reaching out to my office in pain, in fear, having their lives upended — so many of them identify themselves as republicans.”
He touched on the Trump administration’s goal to cut government agencies like the Department of Education, calling that the nation is “under assault by a president that doesn’t respect this document [the Constitution].”
Before a president enters office, they take an oath that requires them to “preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.”
The senator also made direct note of “Article I” of the historic document. It declares the nature of checks and balances, meaning that each of the three branches of government have the power to oversee one another. Essentially, Congress has the power to create laws, the president enforces such laws and the judiciary branch interprets them.
Senator Booker drew attention to the fact that President Trump signed a record number of Executive Orders on day one of his presidency. Many of his orders sparked controversy across the nation.
The President campaigned on the promise to carry out the “largest deportation operation in American history.” This declaration began with Trump promising to only deport those with a criminal record, when he has 34 felony convictions.
The president signed an Executive Order on Jan. 21 that would end birthright citizenship in the states. Birthright citizenship is listed in the Constitution under the 14th Amendment. The amendment states that any person born within the U.S. or its incorporated territories is automatically a citizen.
This order was blocked by a federal judge.
“With the potential threats to our right of citizenship, Trump has not only proved that he is not for the American people, but also that he does not understand the basic framework of what America is as a nation,” said Jasee Tilghman, a student majoring in psychology. “I have always believed that those who are born here deserve the rights and freedoms our forefathers laid out for us, and I hope Donald Trump, being of immigrant descent, realizes how important birthright citizenship is to the functionality of American democracy.”
Trump campaigned on his intention to dissolve a number of government agencies, made possible by his creation of the Department of Government Efficiency.
He aimed to “decrease the size of the Federal Government to enhance accountability, reduce waste, and promote innovation” as stated by the White House’s official website.
DOGE targeted seven specific federal agencies that focused on media, museums, libraries and social issues. He dismantled the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness, the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service, the Community Development Financial Institutions Aid and the Minority Business Development Agency.
President Trump has said he will close the Department of Education to return education authority “back to the states.” He signed an order in March of 2025 to urge and facilitate U.S. Education Secretary Linda McMahon to take “all necessary steps to facilitate [its closure].”
“It was very disheartening and frustrating to hear that. A lot of people don’t know that the Department of Education is extremely beneficial to all students. It protects students with IEPs, 504 plans, and any students that have individual learning needs. By closing down the Department of Education, Title I schools would lose a lot of their funding that comes from the federal government,” said an anonymous education student.
Additional orders signed withdrew the U.S. from the World Health Organization and put an end to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion efforts in federal workplaces.
Although a broad term, DEI refers to policies and initiatives organizations use to prevent discrimination in the workplace.
“I hate how they keep saying that it’s ‘common sense’ to end DEI, when in reality it’s put in place to promote fair hiring,” said sophomore education student Alise Boger. “They still have to meet certain qualifications and standards, and removing DEI is going to impact a lot of people.”
Senator Booker brought the president’s rapid actions to the surface when he addressed the chamber. Specifically, Booker reminded the American people of Trump’s “promises” that he campaigned on.
“He promised to lower your grocery prices – they’re higher. He promised to be a better steward of the economy – it’s worse than what he inherited,” said Booker.
His unheard of demands, such as closing the Department of Education and referring to himself on social media as a king, have worried Americans everywhere. Specifically, President Trump’s act of defunding the suicide hotline sparked a new perspective in a University of North Alabama student.
“I am very confused about it. None of it really makes sense,” said a sophomore from the College of Arts, Science and Engineering. “I’m trying to trust the process, but I’m not feeling very great about it.”
Booker voiced his concerns with tears in his eyes. He relayed personal stories from the American people that demonstrate how devastating times have been for people all across the country, in various walks of life.
“But I know who does have the power: The people of the United States of America, the power of the people is greater than the people in power,” said Booker.
A Virginian constituent confronted her senators back in February, calling attention to the rising “tyranny in the White House.” Booker concluded his speech by urging his colleagues and the American people to rise against this.
Booker said, “Let’s get in good trouble. My friend, Madam President, I yield the floor.”
