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Senator’s Floor Speech Warning Of Trump’s “Authoritarian Takeover” Lasts Nearly 23 Hours
Democratic Senator Jeff Merkley concluded his nearly 23-hour marathon Senate speech on Wednesday evening after warning of Donald Trump’s “authoritarian takeover.”
Merkley, 68, ended his speech, which lasted a total of 22 hours and 36 minutes, at 5 p.m., beating the previous record set for the longest floor speech by an Oregon Senator.
- Senator Jeff Merkley spoke for 22 hours and 36 minutes, warning against Trump’s 'authoritarian takeover' and setting a new Oregon Senate speech record.
- Merkley accused Trump of attacking free speech, the press, and weaponizing the Department of Justice during his marathon Senate speech.
- Merkley criticized Trump’s 'Big Beautiful Bill,' linking it to authoritarianism, and urged strong opposition to protect the Constitution.
- Despite feeling lightheaded, Merkley stood without breaks, joined by Democratic senators who supported his protest against Trump’s actions.
The record for the longest floor speech was set earlier this year by Democratic Senator Cory Booker, who held the floor for 25 hours and 5 minutes.
Jeff Merkley held the Senate floor for nearly 23 hours as he protested Donald Trump
Image credits: Andrew Harnik/Getty Images
As he spoke beside a sign that read “Ring the alarm bells: Authoritarianism is here now!” Merkley said Trump was attacking free speech and the free press, as well as weaponizing the Department of Justice.
Merkley also slammed Trump’s Big Beautiful Bill, a sweeping legislative spending package that was passed by Republicans and signed into law by Trump in July.
“If we do not confront tyranny in its first year and if we do not find a way to have a strong rebuttal in the next election than it becomes entrenched,” Merkley said.
“And it is our responsibility, our oath to the Constitution to not let that happen.”
THIS IS NOT NORMAL. I’m holding the floor to protest Trump dragging us further into authoritarianism.
🔗 https://t.co/H2WedPEl8mpic.twitter.com/Wrvfi3fouN
— Senator Jeff Merkley (@SenJeffMerkley) October 22, 2025
Merkley remained standing for the entirety of his speech, without any bathroom breaks, water, or food, and at times said he felt lightheaded.
His only reprieve was when he was joined on the floor by other Democratic Senators who asked questions and commended his efforts.
“We’re in the most perilous moment, the biggest threat to our republic since the Civil War,” Merkley said towards the end of his remarks.
“President Trump is shredding our Constitution.”
Speaking at a press conference after his speech, Merkley told reporters he wanted to keep up the momentum from the No Kings protests last week, which had an estimated attendance of seven million people.
Merkley accused Trump of leading an authoritarian regime
Image credits: Alex Wong/Getty Images
“I didn’t want the momentum of that to die down,” he said.
“I felt it was so important at this moment of time to amplify the extraordinary moment we are in of an aggressive authoritarian takeover of our republic.”
In a post on X, Merkley also acknowledged the efforts of employees who were forced to work throughout the night, such as Capitol police and floor staff.
It was a point slammed by Republican senators, who noted most of the staff would not be paid due to the current federal government shutdown.
“I come to the Senate floor today to ask a simple question: What did Democrats actually accomplish?” Republican Whip John Barrasso said on the floor after Merkley’s speech concluded.
Image credits: Andrew Harnik/Getty Images
“The government is still closed, Capitol Police officers and Senate support staffers were here for the entire 22 hours are still not getting paid.”
It has been three weeks since the federal government shutdown after a last-minute spending bill failed to pass before the October 1 deadline.
A short-term funding bill has failed to pass 11 times so far, with Democrats refusing to agree until Trump negotiates on healthcare.
Trump, however, has said he won’t meet with Democratic leaders until the government is back up and running.
Republican Wayne Morse previously held the record for the longest floor speech of an Oregon senator for his 22 hours and 26 minutes of remarks in 1953.
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