Merkley’s 23-Hour Speech Warns of Trump Authoritarianism
In a dramatic and historic act of protest on the Senate floor, Oregon Senator Jeff Merkley delivered a nearly 23-hour speech warning that the United States is sliding into authoritarianism under President Donald Trump. Ending his marathon address on Wednesday evening after 22 hours and 37 minutes, Merkley declared, “We are in the most perilous moment, the biggest threat to our republic since the Civil War.”
Why Merkley Spoke for Nearly a Full Day
Unlike traditional filibusters aimed at blocking specific legislation, Merkley’s speech was a moral and political alarm bell. He sought to spotlight what he described as the Trump administration’s systematic erosion of constitutional norms, enabled by a compliant Republican Congress and a Supreme Court that recently granted sweeping presidential immunity.
“President Trump is shredding our Constitution,” Merkley said. “He believes he is the king of this country and can control everything regardless of what the law says.”
A Record-Breaking Stand for Democracy
Merkley’s effort wasn’t just symbolic—he also aimed to surpass a historic benchmark. His 22-hour, 37-minute speech edged past the previous record held by Oregon Senator Wayne Morse, who spoke for 22 hours and 26 minutes in 1953 to oppose offshore oil drilling. Merkley called it a “personal goal” to honor his state’s legacy of principled dissent.
Backlash and Criticism
Republicans were quick to condemn the speech, calling it performative and irresponsible—especially during a government shutdown that has left Capitol Police and Senate staff unpaid.
“It was 22 hours of what I can only describe as rubbish,” said Senator John Barrasso of Wyoming, the No. 2 Senate Republican. “What did Democrats actually accomplish? The government is still closed.”
Merkley acknowledged the burden his speech placed on staff but said he scheduled it midweek to minimize disruption and hoped it would help build momentum toward ending the shutdown. He also admitted to feeling lightheaded from dehydration during the grueling session.
Part of a Larger Democratic Strategy
Merkley’s marathon follows a similar effort by Senator Cory Booker of New Jersey, who spoke for over 25 hours earlier in 2025 to protest Trump policies. These extended speeches are emerging as a key tactic for Democrats to rally public attention and energize grassroots opposition amid legislative gridlock.
“The longer you are in an authoritarian state,” Merkley warned, “the more entrenched it becomes.” He stressed the urgency of acting now—before democratic institutions are irreversibly weakened.
Public Reaction and Next Steps
The speech coincided with nationwide anti-Trump rallies over the weekend, which Merkley cited as inspiration. While it’s unclear whether his address will directly influence policy, it has reignited national debate about the balance of power, executive overreach, and the role of Congress in checking presidential authority.
The Senate is expected to vote Thursday on a bill to restore pay for essential government workers affected by the shutdown—a move Merkley hopes his speech helped accelerate.
