Booker breaks record: 25 hours against Trump in the Senate!

Booker breaks record: 25 hours against Trump in the Senate!

On April 1, 2025, U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) caused a stir when he delivered an incredible speech lasting more than 25 hours in the U.S. Senate. This historic moment was a protest against President Donald Trump's agenda and broke the previous record of 24 hours and 18 minutes set by Senator Strom Thurmond in 1957. Booker's speech began at 7:00 p.m. (local time) and ended on April 2, 2025 after 25 hours and 5 minutes.

To endure this long speech, Booker abstained from food and fasted, which left him with muscle cramps and spasms. He received support from his party colleagues, who asked him questions to give him short breaks. With a strong message that current times should not be treated as normal, Booker vehemently criticized Trump's policies and their impact on security, financial stability and democracy. While the audience applauded and gave him a standing ovation, the Republican side of the chamber remained largely empty.

A record in the spirit of resistance

Booker's speech was broadcast live on his YouTube channel and viewership increased from an initial 50,000 to over 110,000. Despite its impressive length, his speech did not meet the criteria of a filibuster because it did not take place in the context of a specific debate. What remains impressive is that Booker forewent tools like those Thurmond used in 1957 and instead relied on his personal will.

The filibuster has greatly influenced the work of the Senate in recent years and is seen as one of the main obstacles to political reform in the United States. According to the NZZ There have been calls for the abolition of the filibuster for a long time, but so far no party has dared to take this step. Mitch McConnell, leader of the Republican faction, in particular, has made the filibuster blockade a political strategy.

For the future of democracy

The Democrats, who won control of the White House as well as the House and Senate through two runoff elections in Georgia on January 5, 2021, face a very thin majority. These circumstances make it difficult to implement reforms. The filibuster, which has existed since 1805 and was notably modified by the introduction of “Rule 22” in 1917, requires a qualified majority of 60 senators, making it easier to block legislation.

During his time in office, President Joe Biden also signed a variety of executive orders aimed at undoing the damage he said was caused by Trump's policies. This particularly applies to topics such as climate and migration policy. Loud vol.at Booker sees the current state of politics as urgently in need of action, especially in the context of the upcoming election campaigns and the associated challenges for American democracy.