Sen. Jeff Merkley warns that “tyranny has arrived” in marathon speech protesting Trump
WASHINGTON — Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., was still speaking on the Senate floor after delivering remarks for more than 16 hours protesting what he called President Donald Trump’s “tyrannical” leadership and warning that the republic faces the “greatest threat” since the Civil War.
“President Trump is tearing up our Constitution,” Merkley said in his opening remarks at around 6:30 p.m. EST on Tuesday. “Is it acceptable for masked federal agents to arrest people in the streets because of their skin color or accent? No, not in a free America.”
The Democratic senator went on to rebuke the Trump administration for other actions, including weaponizing the Justice Department to attack his political rivals, including former FBI Director James Comey, New York Attorney General Letitia James and Sen. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., and eliminating research grants to universities in an attempt to control what can be taught.
On Wednesday morning, the Oregon Democrat said he wanted the public to understand from his comments that “authoritarianism has already arrived. It’s not on the street. It’s not just around the corner. It will not be confronted on the road tomorrow. It is here at this very moment.”
He believed that “tyranny comes in two forms,” including “an assault on freedom,” and considered the disappearance of “the fundamental separation of powers.”
He said: “Suddenly, you have the three elements that create tyranny instead of freedom, or tyranny instead of a republic.” “These are an approving Congress, a considerate court, and an aggressive autocrat with a good plan.”
A Merkley aide said Tuesday that the senator is expected to last as long as possible. His speech comes months after Sen. Cory Booker, D-N.J., delivered marathon remarks lasting 25 hours and 4 minutes, breaking the record for the longest speech in Senate history.
Merkley’s speech comes days after people across the country turned out on Saturday to protest against Trump and his administration at No Kings rallies. Since the beginning of the president’s second term, Democrats have faced blowback for not doing enough to confront Trump. In interviews with NBC News, Democratic protesters at the “No Kings” rally in Washington, D.C., were still expressing the same frustration with leaders in their party.
Many members of the Democratic caucus praised Merkley on social media.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y. to thank Merkley to “defend the American people.” Sen. Andy Kim, D-N.J. Written on X The speech is “a reminder that our democracy is under attack. Democracy is not just your vote, your voice. It is your right to stand up and not be silenced.” Senator Chris Van Hollen, Democrat of Maryland, He said on X Merkley was sounding the alarm “about Trump’s lawless regime” and said: “There can be no business as usual.”
Meanwhile, the speech drew criticism from Senate Republicans such as Senate Majority Whip John Barrasso, Republican of Wyoming, who said in Share on X Merkley is forcing Senate staff and Capitol Police officers to work through the night without getting paid due to the government shutdown.
“Democrats will make Capitol Police and Capitol support staff — who they refuse to pay — work through the night so they can give speeches while patting themselves on the back for shutting down the government and hurting the American people. How ridiculous is that?” books.
White House spokeswoman Abigail Jackson said for comment: “Democrats will do anything but vote to open the government. A useless speech overnight that no one saw will do anything to help millions of Americans who are missing paychecks, losing important benefits, or otherwise harmed by sanctions.” [Democrats’] Decision to shut down the government over free health care for illegal aliens.
The government has been shut down for 22 days as Democrats and Republicans remain deadlocked over their funding demands. Merkley’s speech will not delay or postpone any imminent actions on government funding as the Senate is currently working on nominations.