Senator Cory Booker (D-N.J.) delivered a historic marathon speech on the Senate floor this week, speaking for 25 hours and 5 minutes in a sweeping critique of President Donald Trump’s administration. The speech, which began Monday evening and concluded late Tuesday night, set a new record for the longest continuous address in Senate history, surpassing the 24-hour and 18-minute filibuster by segregationist Senator Strom Thurmond in 1957.

Booker’s speech was not a filibuster aimed at blocking specific legislation but rather a symbolic protest against what he described as the harmful policies and divisive rhetoric of the Trump administration.

“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, and even our aspirations as a people from our highest offices for a sense of common decency,” Booker said in his opening remarks.

“These are not normal times in America. And they should not be treated as such in the United States Senate.”

Many Americans have criticized Congressional Democrats for not doing enough to push back against Trump’s actions since he took office. This frustration was evident when a group of Democratic congresswomen faced backlash for wearing pink to Trump’s March joint address to Congress—a move some saw as symbolic rather than substantive, reinforcing concerns that the left often relies on “performative” gestures rather than meaningful action.

However, Booker’s speech was different. While a TikTok livestream of his remarks garnered over 350 million likes, it wasn’t just a viral moment designed for memes. The issues he addressed impact millions of Americans, and his stand resonated with those who had been waiting for a Democratic leader to take decisive action. His speech wasn’t just historic for its length—it was powerful because of the substance he delivered during those hours.

And Americans responded.

On his Senate website, the New Jersey Democrat highlighted the speech’s early impact, citing over 350 million likes on his TikTok livestream, more than 28,000 supportive voicemails left on his main office line during the speech, and a livestream audience that surged to over 300,000 viewers across his platforms.

One Threads user wrote, “@senbooker gave proof through the night that our flag was still there.”

Booker’s speech covered a wide range of topics, including proposed cuts to Medicaid and Social Security, immigration policy, healthcare access, and what he described as a growing disregard for democratic norms under Trump’s leadership. He also criticized senior adviser Elon Musk’s role in reshaping federal government policies and warned about the broader implications for American democracy.

Throughout his address, Booker invoked civil rights leaders like John Lewis and Martin Luther King Jr., emphasizing the moral responsibility to resist injustice. He described his effort as an act of “good trouble,” borrowing Lewis’s famous phrase. “This is not about right or left; it is about right or wrong,” Booker stated.

Booker’s speech was as much a spiritual testimony as a political act. Drawing on his Methodist upbringing, he framed the marathon address as a moral imperative, invoking scripture and civil rights theology to anchor his critique. Central to his preparation was Isaiah 40:31.

“But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength. They shall mount up with wings … as eagles,” Booker recited. “They shall run and not be weary, and they shall walk and they … shall not faint.”

During the speech, he wove biblical references into policy critiques, citing Proverbs’ admonitions to protect the poor while lambasting proposed Medicaid cuts and quoting the Declaration of Independence’s “sacred honor” clause to underscore civic duty.

Booker highlighted several actions taken by President Donald Trump during the first 71 days of his second term that he described as deeply troubling. Booker’s speech aimed to draw attention to these issues while urging Americans to resist normalizing such policies, which he characterized as morally and politically unacceptable.

Cuts to Social Safety Nets: Booker condemned proposed budget cuts targeting essential programs like Medicaid, Medicare, and Social Security. He shared stories from constituents, including a letter from a Parkinson’s patient worried about losing Social Security benefits, which Booker linked to broader concerns about economic stability and dignity for vulnerable populations.

Undermining Federal Institutions: The senator accused Trump and senior adviser Elon Musk of “recklessly” attacking federal agencies through severe staffing reductions and budget cuts, particularly at the Social Security Administration. Booker argued that such actions eroded trust in government institutions and harmed Americans who rely on these services.

Rescinding Civil Rights Protections: Booker criticized Trump’s rollback of executive orders issued by President Biden that promoted racial equity, voting access, LGBTQ+ protections, and other civil rights advancements. He framed these actions as an assault on the nation’s progress toward justice and equality.

Disregard for Democratic Norms: Throughout his speech, Booker expressed alarm over what he described as Trump’s disregard for constitutional principles and the rule of law. He emphasized that these actions represented a broader threat to democracy itself.

The New Jersey senator began his speech at 7 p.m. on Monday with a pledge to speak “as long as I am physically able.” Over the course of more than 25 hours, Booker remained standing without sitting, eating, or leaving the chamber for any breaks. His feat drew applause from both sides of the aisle when he surpassed Thurmond’s record Tuesday evening.

The Senate chamber, typically subdued during such proceedings, erupted into a rare standing ovation when Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) acknowledged Booker’s achievement. “Do you know how proud this caucus is of you? Do you know how proud America is of you?” Schumer said.

Following the marathon speech, Booker took to Threads to write, “I may be tired and a little hoarse, but as I said again and again on the Senate floor, this is a moment where we cannot afford to be silent, when we must speak up. What’s most clear to me tonight is that this is just the beginning, that Americans across this country, no matter their title or party, are ready to be heard.”