At 7 p.m. EST on Monday, March 31, Sen. Cory Booker took the Senate floor and did not leave for over 25 hours. Booker, the New Jersey State Senator, stood to warn the American people of the dangers of the Trump Administration. He recounted their disregard for the law and U.S. Constitution, attempts to undermine government institutions and the stories of citizens who have been harmed by these actions.
“These are not normal times in our nation, and they should not be treated as such in the United States Senate,” Booker said.
Sen. Booker’s speech was a fervent critique of President Donald Trump’s administration, particularly targeting their policies perceived to undermine democratic institutions and social safety nets. He expressed deep concern over the dismantling of government programs, potential cuts to Social Security and Medicaid, and the administration’s stance on immigration and foreign policy.
Throughout his address, Booker drew inspiration from civil rights icon John Lewis, invoking his call to “get in good trouble.” He emphasized the moral imperative of resisting unjust policies made by the Trump Administration, framing this moment in history as not merely a political opportunity but one for unity.
“This is not right or left. It is right or wrong. This is not a partisan moment. It is a moral moment,” Booker said.
In a tactical move to engage a broader audience, Booker launched his official Senate TikTok account during the speech. His team shared content via TikTok, live streaming the speech and posting clips, which attracted over 350 million likes and 700,000 followers. This strategic use of social media represents a strong push forward in the Democrats’ struggle to break through the right-wing sound barrier that dominates many platforms such as TikTok.
Senator Booker’s speech is not only a significant moment in contemporary American politics and history but is the call to action millions of constituents have been waiting for from a public representative on the left.
The weight of this historic act of courage is emboldened by the fact that it beats the record previously held by Senator Strom Thurmond. In 1957, Thurmond spoke for 24 hours and 18 minutes in opposition to the Civil Rights Act. His record was not only broken by a Black man but by a speech that championed human rights and the very good trouble he sought to destroy.
Once Booker had surpassed this previous record, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer asked before him and the entire floor,
“Do you know how proud this caucus is of you? Do you know how proud America is of you?”
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