One of the challenges facing political opponents of Donald Trump has been the search for a form of protest that, in light of his numerous transgressions, doesn’t feel completely futile. You might choose to demonstrate outside a Tesla dealership. You could brandish simplistic signs during Trump’s congressional address bearing messages like “This is not normal” and “Musk steals”. Or, as Democrats seem to have been doing since the election, you can adopt a strategy of inactivity.
On the other hand, one could opt for a bold, performative act. On Monday evening, Cory Booker, the Democratic senator from New Jersey, who has a flair for a more dramatic era, commenced speaking on the Senate floor and continued for 25 hours and five minutes, surpassing the chamber’s record by nearly 50 minutes and providing a tangible, reusable symbol of resistance.
This wasn’t precisely a filibuster, as no legislation was under consideration. Booker chose to speak for “as long as I am physically able,” expressing his general protest against Trump and referring to it as a “moral moment”—a sentiment that, by the time he concluded his speech on Tuesday evening, sounding hoarse and tearful, did not seem like an exaggeration.
The essence of the filibuster lies in the immense stamina required to carry it out: in Booker’s case, standing longer than a direct flight from Washington DC to Sydney, without food, rest, or bathroom breaks. This places him in a unique form of protest that lies somewhere between a sit-in and a hunger strike, reflecting a level of commitment that inherently commands respect, as does the technical feat of filling the airtime. A few hours into his discourse, Booker requested a Senate page to remove his chair, eliminating the temptation to sit. Democratic senators were allowed to pose questions or make brief comments to grant him short breaks from speaking. However, it was primarily on Booker to keep the dialogue going, which he accomplished—remarkably fluently—by listing the numerous faults Trump had exhibited in his first three months in office.
A supporter outside the US Capitol holds up a sign in support of Cory Booker after his speech. Photograph: Roberto Schmidt/AFP/Getty Images
There was something profoundly satisfying—almost therapeutic—in witnessing Booker’s protest against Trump through a form of dissent that, while radical and pushed to its limits, remained within congressional norms. A significant aftershock of Trump and his allies’ conduct has been the startling realization that one can abandon standards and protocols, disregard judicial rulings, and discard entire social and scientific programs established by Congress, and in the short term, face no repercussions. (Of course, in the medium to long term, there will be dire consequences.)
One might argue that Trump’s unparalleled, norm-defying actions necessitate responses that transcend the political realm. Democrats may not storm the Capitol, but I know individuals who are contemplating withholding their federal taxes this tax season. Teslas are not merely being boycotted; there are accounts of them being set ablaze. Internationally, Europe is specifically targeting Republican states with reciprocal tariffs—such as on Alabama beef and Louisiana soybeans—to inflict economic pain on Trump and his backers.
However, it is the tangible political victories that hold the most significance. This week, a notable victory for Democrats was observed with the election of Judge Susan Crawford over her Musk-supported challenger to the Wisconsin supreme court—an election that saw massive voter turnout, underscoring the strength of consistent, procedural political resistance over more flamboyant protests. This election was pivotal in reshaping the state’s congressional districts, which had been gerrymandered by the Republican-controlled state Senate to favor Republican outcomes. Furthermore, it conveyed an encouraging message: the involvement of Elon Musk—who, along with associated entities, invested over $20 million in attempting to secure Brad Schimel’s election—ultimately galvanized Democratic voter turnout much more effectively than it inspired Republican turnout.
Meanwhile, Booker continued his monologue. Notably, throughout and following his marathon speech, neither Musk nor Trump acknowledged him on their various social media platforms, although a spokesperson from the White House sarcastically referred to Booker’s performance as a “Spartacus” moment. As he spoke for 25 hours, spectators came and went to witness his testament of endurance while his staff ensured he had face wipes at the ready and provided him with folders of materials to read from. Until now, the realm of political spectacle has been predominantly monopolized by Trump. It was finally refreshing to see a Democrat take hold of the microphone and maintain control.
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