US Senator Cory Booker’s marathon anti-Trump speech closes in on record

A Democratic senator launched a fiery protest speech against US President Donald Trump’s “unconstitutional” actions late on Monday, then kept going, and going – and more than 20 hours later on Tuesday, he was still going.

Senator Cory Booker’s display of endurance – to hold the floor he must remain standing and cannot even go to the bathroom – recalled the famous scene in Frank Capra’s 1939 film classic Mr Smith Goes to Washington.

Although Booker’s talk-a-thon was not actually blocking the majority Republican Party from holding votes in the Senate, as would be the case in a true filibuster, his defiance quickly became a rallying point for beleaguered Democrats.

“I rise tonight because I believe sincerely that our country is in crisis,” the 55-year-old New Jersey native said as he launched into his speech.

“These are not normal times in America,” Booker added, his voice cracking. “And they should not be treated as such.”

Booker, a former US presidential candidate, seized command in the chamber at 7pm Monday and was still speaking well into Tuesday afternoon.