Islamabad, Apr 2, 2025: In a striking act of political defiance, Cory Booker, a Democratic senator representing New Jersey, delivered an extraordinary 25-hour and 5-minute speech on the US Senate floor.
His extended address, which continued into Tuesday evening, was a direct response to President Donald Trump’s proposed policies, particularly the planned reductions in Social Security services under the newly established Department of Government Efficiency, led by billionaire Elon Musk.
Booker’s speech not only set a new record but also surpassed a long-standing Senate milestone held by Strom Thurmond, a segregationist senator who, in 1957, spoke for 24 hours and 18 minutes to resist the Civil Rights Act.
Booker’s unprecedented address underscored the urgent necessity for unity within the Democratic Party to counter what he described as an escalating political crisis.
“These are extraordinary times in our country,” Booker emphasized. “The dangers facing American citizens and our democratic institutions are severe and immediate, and we must all take stronger action to oppose them.”
Throughout his speech, Booker invoked the legacy of civil rights leader John Lewis, encouraging Americans to go beyond mere words and political discourse.
“Do you think we secured civil rights because Strom Thurmond had a change of heart? No. We achieved progress because people marched, endured suffering, and John Lewis made sacrifices,” he asserted, reinforcing the significance of sustained collective action for social transformation.
Despite the physical toll, Booker remained on his feet for over a full day, subsisting on only water, having chosen to fast beforehand.
Fellow legislators, including Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, periodically joined him, offering moral support and posing questions to help sustain his momentum. Jeffries later described the speech as “a profoundly moving stand for democracy.”
Although not a formal filibuster—typically used to obstruct legislative progress—Booker’s speech served to spotlight the contentious actions of the Trump administration on a national scale.
Tens of thousands of viewers tuned in to watch the event live, while numerous supporters assembled outside the US Capitol in solidarity.
This landmark moment carries substantial political weight. With the Democratic Party navigating internal divisions between its veteran leadership and a younger wave of progressive voices, Booker’s impassioned stand could solidify his role as a leading figure in the resistance against Trump’s policies.
Concluding his speech, Booker delivered a resonant message: “I may feel fear—my voice may tremble—but I will continue to speak out.”
His words were met with resounding applause from his peers, reinforcing his emerging influence in the future of American politics.
