Cory Booker’s journey
Cory Booker was the former mayor of Newark, a city marked by deep racial and social inequalities, before becoming Senator of New Jersey in 2013. A strong defender of civil rights, he represents a progressive figure within the Democratic Party.
On April 1st, 2025, Booker took the Senate floor with remarkable determination. He remained there for 25 hours and 5 minutes, setting a new record and surpassing the previous one held by Strom Thurmond, who spoke for 24 hours and 18 minutes in 1957 to oppose the Civil Rights Act. But unlike Thurmond, Booker used his time to defend minority rights and democratic values in the United States.
A methodical critique of Trump’s policies
This long speech was not just a political show. Cory Booker built his intervention around a structured and clear criticism of the Trump administration, re-elected in 2024. From the very beginning, he set the tone:
“I rise tonight because I believe sincerely that our nation is in crisis”.
Throughout the speech, Booker listed several decisions he believes put vulnerable communities and institutions at risk. One major criticism was the funding cuts to essential programs like Medicaid. This program provides healthcare for low-income Americans. He condemned the plan to divert these funds to tax breaks for the wealthy. According to him, this would only deepen social inequalities.
He also spoke out against the weakening of the Department of Education, which powers have been significantly reduced. For Booker, this puts at risk the goal of equal access to quality education.
A democratic wake-up call
At the very start of his speech, Booker paid tribute to John Lewis, a former congressman and civil rights activist who died in 2020.
Far from a technical or cold speech, Booker’s intervention included historical references, emotional testimonies, and even readings from letters sent by concerned citizens. His goal was clear: to use the Senate microphone to give a voice to those left behind.
He also warned against authoritarian trends, which he believes have grown stronger under Trump’s leadership.
“In just 71 days, the president of the United States has inflicted so much harm on Americans’ safety; financial stability; the core foundations of our democracy. “These are not normal times in America. And they should not be treated as such in the United States Senate”.
A political strategy
Technically, Booker was not trying to block a specific vote. His speech took place during a budget debate, but it was also part of a larger political strategy to prepare for the 2026 midterm elections. It was a symbolic and powerful gesture meant to grab media attention and mobilize progressive voters.
Reactions came quickly: there was applause from Democrats, strong criticism from Republicans, and support from civil society organizations.
By speaking for over 25 hours, Cory Booker did more than break a record. He reminded the nation of the symbolic power of the Senate floor. His speech was an act of resistance against the Trump administration, which he sees as a threat to basic rights. Mixing emotion, conviction, and clarity, he gave a voice to those excluded from political debate. More than a media stunt, this marathon speech was a strong moment for American democracy. It could have a lasting impact on future debates.
