Senator Cory Booker launched a marathon speech on the Senate floor this week, using more than 17 consecutive hours to sharply criticize the Trump administration’s policies and the growing influence of tech mogul Elon Musk in federal governance.
Booker’s extended remarks, which began late Monday and continued into the following day, centered on what he described as a “dangerous erosion” of government accountability and public trust. He specifically called out Musk’s leadership of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), a federal agency tasked with streamlining bureaucratic operations, accusing the billionaire of prioritizing cost-cutting over fairness and transparency.
The New Jersey Democrat said that DOGE’s implementation of mass automation and restructuring had negatively impacted thousands of federal workers and left vulnerable communities without essential services. He also challenged the administration’s embrace of what he referred to as “tech elitism,” warning that decisions affecting millions of Americans were being outsourced to private interests with limited oversight.
Booker’s speech also addressed broader concerns over civil liberties, immigration policy, and climate action, framing his opposition as part of a moral and constitutional stand. He accused the administration of consolidating power in the hands of unelected actors while bypassing traditional checks and balances.
While his remarks were met with support from several progressive colleagues, Republicans criticized the speech as grandstanding. Nonetheless, Booker remained on the Senate floor into the early morning hours, refusing to yield as he called for legislative reforms and greater scrutiny of executive branch decision-making.
Senate officials confirmed that the speech now ranks among the longest in recent congressional history, although it did not formally block any legislation from moving forward. Booker concluded his address by urging his fellow lawmakers to “reclaim the soul of American democracy” and remain vigilant in holding both public and private leaders accountable.
The senator’s speech has since sparked debate across social media and cable news, with reactions ranging from admiration for his persistence to skepticism over its political impact. As policy battles intensify on Capitol Hill, Booker’s dramatic stand has become a symbol of rising resistance among Democratic lawmakers.