Cory Booker on America’s Crisis of “Moral Leadership”
Apr 28, 2025
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Cory Booker, the Senator from New Jersey known for his activism on poverty and justice, delivers a powerful message about America’s need for moral leadership. He details his record-breaking Senate speech aimed at resisting authoritarianism, urging both parties to prioritize accountability over partisanship. Booker dives into the current immigration crisis and the struggles faced by communities, advocating for bipartisan compassion. He emphasizes the importance of empathy and the role of emerging leaders in shaping a just future.
Cory Booker emphasized the urgent need for moral leadership and collective action to combat authoritarianism and protect democratic values.
His marathon speech on the Senate floor highlighted the dangerous consequences of Trump's policies on immigration and scientific innovation, urging bipartisan responsibility.
Deep dives
Cory Booker's Senate Protest Against Trump Administration Policies
Cory Booker launched a significant protest on the Senate floor against the Trump administration’s aggressive immigration policies and broader attacks on civic institutions. In an unprecedented move, he spoke for 25 hours, highlighting the administration's reckless choices that threaten the rights of all Americans and particularly unjustly deported immigrants. His passionate address aimed to draw attention to the emotional turmoil faced by families affected by these policies, emphasizing that these issues transcend political affiliation and bear serious implications for American values. This act of political theater marked a critical moment of defiance against what he views as an erosion of constitutional principles under the Trump administration.
The Impact of Trump's Policies on Scientific Research
Booker expressed grave concerns about how the Trump administration's policies jeopardize critical scientific research and innovation. He noted that actions such as restrictive immigration measures and funding cuts have led to the elimination of vital postdoctoral programs at universities, thus diminishing the United States' competitiveness in the global arena. He drew parallels with China's past cultural revolution, emphasizing that similar attacks on academic institutions can lead to a loss of intellectual growth and innovation, which will have long-lasting effects on the country's future. The message was clear: the repercussions of these actions could take generations to reverse and will hinder America's leadership in vital scientific and technological advancements.
The Need for a Collective Moral Response
Cory Booker highlighted the importance of collective action and moral leadership in combatting the challenges posed by the Trump administration. He expressed frustration over the silence of many political and corporate leaders who prioritize personal interests over standing up for the democracy and vulnerable populations at risk. The senator called for more Americans to raise their voices against the erosion of democratic norms, illustrating that complacency paves the way for authoritarianism. His sentiment underscored the urgency for citizens and leaders alike to choose democratic principles and the welfare of their communities over individual profit and comfort, especially in times of political turmoil.
As Donald Trump continues to launch unprecedented and innovative attacks on immigrants, civic institutions, and the rule of law, the Democratic response has been—in the eyes of many observers—tepid and inadequate. One answer to the sense of desperation came from Senator Cory Booker, who, on March 31st, launched a marathon speech on the Senate floor, calling on Americans to resist authoritarianism. Booker beat the record previously held by Senator Strom Thurmond’s twenty-four-hour-long filibuster of the Civil Rights Act, in 1957, and he spoke in detail about Americans who are in desperate straits because of federal job cuts and budget slashing. “We knew . . . if I could last twenty-four hours and eighteen minutes, that we could potentially command some attention from the public,” Booker tells David Remnick. “That’s the key here . . . to deal with the poverty of empathy we have in our nation right now.” Yet Booker bridles as Remnick asks about Democratic strategy to resist the Administration’s attacks. Instead, he emphasized the need for “Republicans of good conscience” to step up. “Playing this as a partisan game cheapens the larger cause of the country,” he argues. “This is the time that America needs moral leadership, and not political leadership.”
