Oregon’s Democratic Senator, Jeff Merkley, has delivered a marathon speech on the Senate floor that has now entered its 19th hour, making a compelling case against former President Donald Trump’s perceived authoritarianism. The speech commenced around 6:20 PM on Tuesday evening and extended with few interruptions into Wednesday morning. Merkley’s address emerged amid a government shutdown that began at the start of the month, as both Democrats and Republicans struggled to reach an agreement on legislation to extend funding beyond the end of September.
Merkley, 68, has not sat down once during his marathon speech, eloquently and passionately enumerating the litany of damage done by the Trump administration. He underscored his belief that Trump is undermining democratic principles, stating, “President Trump is shredding our constitution.” To do that, he insisted underlined how urgent his message was. Otherwise, more Americans will pay the price for this president’s authoritarian-esque instincts, he warned.
The senator detailed several harrowing examples of Trump’s retaliation against his political opponents. He criticized the use of military troops in cities such as Portland, his city of birth, referring to these actions as excessive. “That’s what you read about in authoritarian governments far away, and you go, that would never happen in the United States of America, but it is happening right here, right now,” Merkley declared.
As he finished, a number of Democratic senators jumped at the opportunity to grill Merkley. They took advantage of this opportunity to air their laundry list of complaints about the Biden administration. This somewhat less visible effort among Democrats was intended to develop a story arc describing the continued dangers of Trump’s leadership style.
Merkley’s assertions resonated with fellow Democratic senators. Senator Cory Booker remarked, “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.” This statement supports the firestorm alarm sounded by Merkley about the highly undemocratic, anti-progress, pro-establishment political atmosphere today.
Additionally, the senator from Connecticut, Richard Blumenthal, addressed the importance of Trump’s statements as an affront to the core American values. He stated, “This destruction that [Donald Trump] is doing to the White House is emblematic of the wrecking ball he is taking to our democracy.” Blumenthal added that Trump’s actions have costly implications for America’s global image and esteem.
Merkley’s powerful speech on the Senate floor couldn’t have come at a better time, as the harmful government shutdown drags on, hurting millions of Americans. The senator’s emphasis on equal justice under the law contrasts sharply with what he perceives as Trump’s misuse of governmental power against those he views as adversaries. Equal justice under law – that’s what we’re supposed to see here in America. By excluding those with the greatest need, the administration is going after the wrong and unequal injustice. Merkley. He is using the power of government to punish those he dislikes or sees as political foe.
The senator’s marathon speech serves not only as a condemnation of Trump but as a rallying cry for accountability among lawmakers. By standing firm for nearly 19 hours, Merkley aims to draw attention to what he sees as critical threats to democracy and calls for action among his colleagues.