John,

For 25 hours on the Senate floor I had the honor of reading the letters, calls, and stories that New Jerseyans and Americans from all across the country have shared with me in the 10 weeks since Donald Trump took the oath of office. 

I rose because Trump & Musk’s actions have caused undue harm to Americans of all backgrounds. Vital institutions are being recklessly and unconstitutionally attacked and even shattered.

As I see it, our most basic American principles are at stake:

If you work hard your entire life and pay into Social Security, it should be there for you when you retire, and you should not have to question if those paychecks will arrive. 

If you serve your nation, you should be respected and taken care of – not forced to worry that the federal employees who provide you with care will be fired, or that the benefits you rely on will be denied, or that your healthcare needs won’t be met. 

That your children will have access to a high quality public education and return home safely from school each day. That the people you elect to serve in government will represent you and not try to make themselves richer. That everyone’s rights will be equally protected, and everyone will be held equally accountable under the law.

I have heard from thousands of you over the past few weeks, and you wanted us to do whatever we could to address the breaking of these bedrock commitments in America. The only way we will continue to counter the constant barrage of lies, distractions, and attacks is if we choose to stand up and speak out, together.

With gratitude,

Senator Cory Booker