On Tuesday evening, Senator Jeff Merkley, a prominent Democrat from Oregon, embarked on a lengthy speech on the Senate floor that extended into the early hours of Wednesday. This marathon address was a passionate protest against various policies of President Trump, highlighting issues such as deportation efforts, the cancellation of federal programs, and the alleged weaponization of the Justice Department. Merkley's speech began at 6:21 p.m. on Tuesday and was a direct response to the President's actions, particularly those affecting his home state of Portland, Oregon.
Merkley opened his speech with a fervent declaration: "I've come to the Senate floor tonight to ring the alarm bells. We're in the most perilous moment, the biggest threat to our republic since the Civil War." He accused President Trump of shredding the Constitution and undermining democratic principles, emphasizing the urgency of the situation. Throughout his address, he called attention to the deployment of National Guard troops to American cities, including Portland, which he described as a tactic aimed at reinforcing an authoritarian grip on the nation.
During the course of his speech, Merkley was joined by several fellow senators, including New Jersey Sens. Andy Kim and Cory Booker, Illinois Sen. Dick Durbin, Washington Sen. Maria Cantwell, Minnesota Sen. Tina Smith, Massachusetts Sen. Ed Markey, and Connecticut Sen. Chris Murphy. These senators took turns asking Merkley extended questions, allowing him brief reprieves while he continued to voice his concerns regarding the Trump administration's policies.
Merkley’s home city, Portland, has been a focal point of President Trump's criticisms for several years. Recently, the situation escalated when the President instructed the Defense Department to coordinate the deployment of National Guard troops to the city. On Monday, a federal appeals court ruled in favor of the administration, permitting the federalization and deployment of members of the Oregon National Guard to Portland amidst ongoing legal challenges.
In his speech, Merkley passionately defended the people of Portland against the President's portrayal of the city as a site of chaos and violence. "President Trump wants us to believe that Portland, Oregon, in my home state, is full of chaos and riots," he stated. He argued that this narrative allows Trump to assert the existence of a rebellion, which he suggested is a tactic to strengthen his authoritarian control over the nation. Merkley asserted that the residents of Portland are not succumbing to this narrative; instead, they are engaging in peaceful demonstrations filled with "joy and whimsy." He emphasized that the claims of violent protests are simply untrue, seeking to set the record straight for the American public.
Through this extended speech, Sen. Jeff Merkley not only expressed his deep concerns about the state of democracy in the U.S. but also rallied support for the people of Portland, affirming their right to peaceful protest and their resilience against mischaracterization.