In a dramatic display of opposition, Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.) took control of the Senate floor Monday night, continuing to speak into Tuesday eveing in a marathon filibuster aimed at drawing attention to Democratic concerns over the Trump administration’s sweeping policies.

Booker began his speech at 7 p.m. ET on Monday, vowing to remain on the floor as long as he was “physically able.” His address, which lasted well into the following day, sought to underscore what he described as urgent threats to American democracy.

“These are not normal times in our nation,” Booker said at the start of his speech. “And they should not be treated as such in the United States Senate. The threats to the American people and American democracy are grave and urgent, and we all must do more to stand against them.”

Throughout the filibuster, Booker read letters from constituents, amplifying their concerns and emphasizing the real-world impact of the administration’s actions. Several Democratic colleagues joined him in support. Senators Elizabeth Warren and Ed Markey of Massachusetts used their allotted questioning time to voice worries over potential cuts to Social Security and Medicaid under the Trump administration. Sen. Peter Welch (D-Vt.) relieved Booker for an early shift, while Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) remained by his side for much of the speech, mirroring the support Booker had offered during Murphy's own nearly 15-hour filibuster for gun control in 2016.

Democratic aides observed from the Senate gallery as Booker’s speech stretched into Tuesday evening. With his unwavering endurance, Booker has now set a new record for the longest filibuster, surpassing the previous mark held by the late Sen. Strom Thurmond, who spoke for 24 hours and 18 minutes in 1957 to oppose the Civil Rights Act. His historic stand underscored Democratic opposition to the Trump administration’s policies.

As Booker stood hour after hour, he appeared to sustain himself with little more than a couple of sips of water. His display of stamina became the longest filibuster in Senate history, serving as a powerful message to frustrated Democratic supporters that their representatives were fighting to challenge the administration’s agenda.

Booker, who has represented New Jersey in the Senate since 2013, is known for his passionate advocacy on issues such as criminal justice reform, environmental justice, and healthcare. Before his Senate tenure, he served as mayor of Newark, where he worked to revitalize the city's economy and address persistent social challenges.

Across social media platforms, Booker's filibuster was met with widespread support. His actions were seen as a bold stand against the administration, with many users expressing gratitude for the senator's efforts to spotlight the struggles of ordinary Americans.

• “Booker is making sure the stories of those affected by the administration’s policies are recorded in the congressional record.”
• “His filibuster has officially disrupted the Senate’s normal business, and many view this disruption as a positive development in the face of destructive politics.”
• “He is elevating the voices of those suffering under this administration. It’s a powerful stand.”

One social media post encapsulated the emotions of many: “I haven’t felt hope in so long, but he’s there. He’s fighting for us.”

Throughout his filibuster, Booker offered powerful remarks, including:

• “You can’t lead the people if you can’t love the people.”
• On President Trump: “He promised to lower your grocery prices – they’re higher. Over and over he’s breaking promises and doing outrageous things like disappearing people off American streets. Do you see what’s happening?”

Going into his 21st hour, Booker praised Senator Tammy Duckworth of Illinois for her strong criticism of the Trump administration’s actions toward veterans. Duckworth had stated: “It is a cruel betrayal to the men and women who bravely answered the call to serve our country in uniform—a call that the President has dodged five different times when he had the opportunity to serve.”

Booker also framed his filibuster as an urgent act of resistance and a rallying cry for others to take a stand against policies he believes threaten the core values of American democracy. On his 23rd hour of holding the Senate floor, his TikTok live video had already garnered over 175 million likes, a testament to the widespread attention his actions were receiving.

Senator Mark Kelly also joined Booker’s Senate filibuster, stating, “Elon Musk and Donald Trump are making things worse. Trump’s tariffs are gonna jack up prices on nearly everything that families rely on – groceries, rent, cars, housing.”

With his filibuster, Booker not only made a powerful stand against Trump administration policies but also emphasized the urgency of the moment, leaving a lasting impression on the Senate and the American public. “I don’t want a Disney vacation of our history, I don’t want a homogenized history. Tell me the wretched truth about America, because that speaks to our greatness,” Booker remarked as his filibuster entered its final hours.

Booker began to conclude his historic filibuster to a standing ovation from the Senate members present, marking his record-breaking achievement before yielding (yet retaining) the floor once again. 

As of 6:32 pm (central time), Booker was still continuing with his filibuster.