[By Guancha Observer Network, Wang Yi] From 7:00 PM Eastern Time on March 31 to 8:00 PM on April 1, Cory Booker, a Democratic U.S. Senator from New Jersey, delivered a "marathon" speech in the Senate lasting more than 25 hours to express the Democrats' opposition to President Trump's policies. As of the time this article was published, the speech is still ongoing.

"This is not a normal time for America," Booker said at the beginning of his speech, adding that he would continue speaking as long as his health permitted. With assistance from Democratic colleagues who asked questions to allow him brief breaks, Booker continued his speech until 7:19 PM on April 1, breaking the 24-hour and 18-minute record previously held by the late Senator Strom Thurmond.

On April 2, the Associated Press described it as an extraordinary display of endurance, with Democrats attempting to show their frustrated supporters that they are doing everything possible to counter Trump's agenda. Politico noted that Booker's "marathon" speech occurred as Senate Republicans planned to further advance Trump's "big and beautiful bill," which merges tax cuts with border, energy, and defense policies.

CNN reported on April 1 that although Booker's speech was not a parliamentary filibuster aimed at delaying voting, but rather a symbolic condemnation, it effectively delayed the Senate's legislative agenda.

In his speech, Booker warned that America was in crisis, spending hours criticizing Musk's efforts to reform the federal government under Trump's direction, and listing the impacts of Trump's executive orders, particularly focusing on healthcare, education, immigration, and national security agendas.

Senator Cory Booker of New Jersey delivers a "marathon" speech in the Senate. Video screenshot.

"He [Trump] has repeatedly gone back on his promises and done despicable things, such as making people disappear from American streets," Booker responded when his speech reached 17 hours, asking, "Have we seen what happened?"

Booker also read letters from voters, citing one writer's shock at Trump's comments about annexing Greenland and Canada and the looming constitutional crisis. Booker urged Americans to form broad coalitions to stand up against the Trump administration.

To prevent presiding officials from continuing Senate business, Democrats could not let Booker rest, sit down, or use the restroom. They kept him going by asking him questions, allowing him brief breaks, which he quickly answered to demonstrate his determination not to stop speaking. It remains unclear if Booker ate anything during the speech; only two cups of water were visible on the table in front of his podium.

Booker, former mayor of Newark, New Jersey, joined the Senate in 2013. During his 2020 presidential campaign, he focused on messages of unity and political healing, but failed to attract most voters.

According to The Hill, Booker's nearly 25-hour speech garnered 350 million likes on TikTok. The Wall Street Journal reported that his speech received widespread attention on TV and was shared as short clips on TikTok. Many Democrats are struggling to find messages and strategies resonating with voters after their loss in the 2024 presidential election; Governor Newsom of California has started a podcast to reach younger, ideologically diverse audiences.

However, Booker's speech had little impact on the White House. In a statement, White House spokesperson Harrison Fields commented, "When will he realize he is not Spartacus—a symbol of resistance—but a joker?" The New York Times observed that while Booker was speaking, Musk remained active on social media platforms until late at night but did not mention Booker. Trump also did not comment on Booker on his self-created social platform, Truth Social.

At the Capitol, Booker was cheered by Democratic colleagues and staff. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer described Booker's speech as "masterful." Schumer emphasized that it was not just about how much time or effort was spent, but about Booker's talent in denouncing the terrible administration, "which is destroying our democracy and taking too much from working people."

The Wall Street Journal noted that as Booker approached the end of his protest, his voice became noticeably hoarse, and he paused frequently, wiping his forehead with a white handkerchief. A large group of House Democrats, including House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, stopped to listen to Booker's speech in the Senate chamber.

Jeffries, the first Black party leader to enter the Senate chamber to watch Booker's speech, described it as "an incredibly powerful moment," noting that he broke the record set by segregationists and was fighting "to preserve American lifestyles and our democracy."

Thurmond, who previously held the record for the longest Senate speech, spoke against the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1957 to defend segregation.

Virginia Democratic Senator Tim Kaine pointed out that filibusters have negative connotations, but Booker "may be striving to forever save and revive this tradition."

This article is an exclusive contribution by the Guancha Observer Network and cannot be reprinted without permission.

Original source: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7488541710339818035/

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author alone, and you can express your attitude by clicking the "Like/Dislike" buttons below.