House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and Senator Cory Booker staged a sit-in on the steps of the U.S. Capitol, marking a bold stand against President Donald Trump’s policies as they respond to pressure from their constituents. The protest, which began early Sunday morning, was described by Booker as a moment of “moral urgency,” with the lawmakers calling on community members and activists to join in discussions on the critical issues facing the country as Congress reconvenes after its recess.
“We are at a crucial point where Congress will return tomorrow after a two-week break, and Republican leaders are pushing to force a bill through,” Booker stated, referring to the GOP’s proposed budget. Earlier in the month, Republicans in both chambers advanced a budget plan designed to support Trump’s extensive legislative agenda, which includes over $1.5 trillion in spending cuts, along with tax reductions and border security initiatives.
Jeffries voiced his opposition, declaring, “We must decide whether to stand with the American people or support this harmful budget that Republicans are trying to impose.” He warned that the bill could slash important healthcare and social aid programs, all to fund a major tax cut for the wealthiest Americans.
Democrats argue that the proposed deep spending cuts cannot be achieved without drastically reducing programs like Medicaid and Social Security, though House Speaker Mike Johnson has assured moderate Republicans that these programs will be protected.
During the sit-in, Democratic lawmakers such as Senators Chris Coons and Angela Alsobrooks, as well as activists like American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten and civil rights attorney Maya Wiley, joined Jeffries and Booker in their discussions. Booker, who recently made history with a 25-hour speech on the Senate floor— the longest in its history expressed that he and Jeffries were motivated to hold their demonstration as the party seeks “creative new ways” to communicate their message.
“We can’t keep doing things the same way,” Booker explained, adding that this protest was a call to challenge the status quo and push for a new approach to standing up against the administration.
In town halls across the country, many Democratic lawmakers have faced tough questions from their constituents about how they are opposing the Trump administration. Democratic Representative Marie Gluesenkamp Perez of Washington state responded to concerns about a lack of “anger and fight” from her office, noting that while being loud and angry may feel good, it is not always a productive long-term strategy.
In another sign of internal tension, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer faced strong criticism from some within his party after he declined to block a GOP-led bill aimed at preventing a government shutdown. While many Senate Democrats voted against the bill, warning that it would empower Trump, Schumer has defended his leadership, stating that he remains committed to guiding the party forward and highlighting voices like Booker as examples of the party’s strength.
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