In a dramatic and rare outburst on the Senate floor, Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) fiercely criticized his fellow Democrats for what he described as complacency and complicity with President Donald Trump’s administration. The heated exchange unfolded as the Senate considered a bipartisan package of bills aimed at boosting support and funding for police departments.
Booker objected to the legislation, proposing an amendment that would require public safety grants to be distributed without political bias. His objection drew swift criticism from Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), who accused him of attempting to derail the entire package after it had already passed through the Senate Judiciary Committee — a panel on which Booker sits.
“This is ridiculous. This is an attempt to kill all of these bills,” Cortez Masto said in response.
Booker, visibly frustrated, fired back: “This, to me, is the problem with Democrats in America right now. We’re willing to be complicit to Donald Trump and let this pass through when we have all the leverage right now.”
The confrontation escalated as Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) joined the debate, arguing that Booker’s last-minute objections undermined the legislative process. But Booker stood firm, rejecting suggestions that the bills weren’t vital to his state and expressing frustration with what he sees as his party’s failure to challenge Trump more forcefully.
“What I am tired of is when the president of the United States of America violates the Constitution, trashes our norms and traditions, and what does the Democratic Party do?” Booker shouted. “Comply? Allow him? Beg for scraps?”
He added, “The Democratic Party needs a wake-up call.”
Booker’s remarks reflect growing tensions within the party over how to confront Trump’s second-term agenda. After a bruising defeat in the 2024 presidential election, many Democrats are grappling with how best to counteract Trump’s populist movement. Progressive voices like Booker have been pushing for a more assertive and unapologetic stance.
“If we don’t stand as Democrats, we deserve to lose,” he declared. “But if we stand united, if we stand strong… dear God, we will win.”
Booker is no stranger to impassioned speeches. Earlier this year in April, he delivered a 25-hour marathon address in protest of Trump administration policies, urging Democrats to treat the current political climate as exceptional.
“These are not normal times in America, and they should not be treated as such,” Booker warned.
As the party continues to recalibrate, Booker’s fiery remarks underscore a broader call among progressives for Democrats to find their voice and fight back with renewed urgency.
