In a remarkable display of dedication and resilience, Jeff Merkley, Oregon’s Democratic senator, is currently delivering a marathon speech on the Senate floor that is set to reach an impressive 19 hours. His primary objective is to highlight the increasingly authoritarian actions of former President Donald Trump, particularly his decision to deploy military forces in his hometown of Portland.
The 68-year-old senator commenced his speech at approximately 6:20 PM on Tuesday evening, continuing with minimal interruptions into the early hours of Wednesday morning. Standing resolutely alongside placards emblazoned with messages such as “authoritarianism is here now!” and “Trump is violating the law,” Merkley has only paused to engage with fellow Democratic senators seeking to ask questions. “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. President Trump is shredding our constitution,” Merkley proclaimed as he initiated his powerful address.
Mere days before Merkley’s speech, a federal appeals court had authorized President Trump to send the National Guard into Portland, despite local leaders expressing their disagreement and asserting that the city is not a “war zone.” The president has also ordered a similar military deployment in Chicago, where federal agents are aggressively cracking down on individuals they suspect of being undocumented immigrants. This controversial move is expected to face legal challenges in the Supreme Court.
During his lengthy address, Merkley touched upon these military deployments in cities that predominantly lean Democratic, as well as various instances where Trump appears to be retaliating against his political adversaries. He pointed to the charges filed against Letitia James, the New York state attorney general, and former FBI director James Comey as further examples of the president’s misuse of power. “Equal justice under law – that’s the vision here in America. Not unequal injustice, which is what the president is pursuing by taking the power of the government and going after individuals that he does not like or perceives to be political opponents,” Merkley stated emphatically.
Merkley’s marathon speech is not an isolated incident; it represents the second time this year that a Democratic senator has taken to the Senate floor for an extended speech condemning Trump’s policies. Earlier, Cory Booker of New Jersey set a record with a 25-hour and five-minute address just months after Trump’s inauguration.
As the early hours of Wednesday progressed, Merkley remained at the lectern, accompanied by a small glass of water and a copy of "How Democracies Die," a pivotal book by Steven Levitsky and Daniel Ziblatt that explores the dismantling of representative governments globally. Democratic senators began to arrive on the floor to engage with Merkley, using the opportunity to voice their own concerns regarding the administration.
Booker shared his thoughts, stating, “We are seeing a time now that if we do not ring the alarm bells, more and more Americans will be hurt by a president who is acting more like an authoritarian leader than a democratically elected executive.” Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut drew parallels between Trump’s actions and a demolition of the White House’s east wing, describing it as a reflection of the broader destruction he is inflicting upon democracy. “The damage he’s doing to this iconic symbol of America is so costly to our image and esteem around the world,” Blumenthal articulated.
Merkley’s speech unfolds amid the ongoing government shutdown, which marks its 22nd day as of his address. This shutdown began at the start of the month due to a failure among Democrats and Republicans to reach an agreement on legislation to extend government funding beyond September. The Senate has witnessed 11 unsuccessful votes on a Republican-backed bill aimed at extending funding through November 21, which Democrats have blocked due to its lack of healthcare funding and restrictions on Trump’s use of rescissions to cut previously approved funding.
As Merkley continues his powerful address, it is clear that his efforts are a crucial part of the ongoing dialogue regarding democracy, governance, and the challenges facing the United States today.
