Jeff Merkley of Oregon gave address to make case that president is ‘violating the law’ through authoritarianism

Oregon’s Jeff Merkley gave a marathon, nearly 23-hour speech on the Senate floor that began on Tuesday and ended late Wednesday, pressing the case that Donald Trump is acting as an authoritarian by prosecuting political enemies and deploying the military into Merkley’s home town of Portland.

The 68-year-old senator began speaking around 6.20pm on Tuesday evening and continued until just after 5pm on Wednesday. Standing continuously on the Senate floor alongside placards that read “authoritarianism is here now!” and “Trump is violating the law”, Merkley paused only to take questions from fellow Democratic senators who joined him in the chamber to make their own points about the president’s conduct.

“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 said as he began his speech.

  • CaptDust@sh.itjust.works
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    15 hours ago

    No, Booker said he fasted for days and stopped drinking water 24 hours before his speech to not leave the floor. Strom Thurmond famously had a bucket placed close enough to keep one foot in the room while he relieved himself.

    • prole@lemmy.blahaj.zone
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      33 minutes ago

      The article I read said that Booker, Andy Kim, and a few other Dems would occasionally ask him “extended questions” to give him a break. Dunno if he’s allowed to leave the floor or not, but I imagine the “extended questions” are just them doing nonsense filibuster bullshit for a few mins

    • skooma_king@piefed.social
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      15 hours ago

      Modern day, these are all recorded right? Thinking a pee face compilation (hard to believe no diapers) would be a great addition to 2025.