SENATOR Cory Booker’s special assistant was arrested for carrying a gun on Capitol grounds before Booker started his marathon speech protesting President Donald Trump’s agenda.
Booker, 55, spent Monday night giving a nonstop address on the Senate floor protesting the Trump administration’s policies.
Minutes before the lawmaker started his speech, which is still ongoing, his staffer Kevin Batts was arrested for having a gun on Capitol grounds in Washington DC.
Batts, 59, is a special assistant for the New Jersey senator.
“Yesterday afternoon a Member of Congress led an IDed staff member around security screening at the Hart Senate Office Building,” Capitol Police said in a statement obtained by The U.S. Sun.
Later that evening, Batts told officers he was armed.
He was then arrested for carrying a pistol without a license.
“All weapons are prohibited from Capitol Grounds, even if you are a retired law enforcement officer, or have a permit to carry in another state or the District of Columbia,” United States Capitol Police said.
Booker’s office hasn’t returned The U.S. Sun’s request for comment.
Batts was handcuffed and put in a USCP car at around 6:30 pm.
Shortly after the arrest, Booker started his speech on the Senate floor at around 7 pm.
In a video before the demonstration, he said he would speak as long as he could.
He has allowed other Senate Democrats to speak throughout his hours-long protest, but has remained the main speaker.
The remarks are still continuing as of 1 pm ET, nearly 17 hours after they started.
In a statement, Booker said his goal was to “uplift the stories of Americans who are being harmed by the Trump Administration’s reckless actions, attempts to undermine our institutions, and disregard for the rule of law.”
He started off his marathon speech by railing against Trump.
What is a filibuster?
A filibuster is a political move designed to waste time on the floor.
Filibusters often consist of overlong speeches or unnecessary points in hopes of preventing or delaying a decision.
“In just 71 days, the president of the United States has inflicted so much harm on Americans’ safety, financial stability, the core foundations of our democracy,” Booker said on the floor.
“These are not normal times in America. And they should not be treated as such in the United States Senate.”
Booker hasn’t commented on Batts’ arrest from the Senate floor.
BOOKER AND BATTS’ FRIENDSHIP
The lawmaker has often posted about his friendship with Batts on social media.
Batts has worked on his team since 2006.
In a video posted on X in 2022, Booker said Batts “is a constant reminder as we work for the big changes, continue to do good things right now where you are, as best you can.”
NOT A FILIBUSTER
Booker’s speech isn’t technically a filibuster because it’s not blocking a vote or legislation.
Filibusters often consist of making long speeches or raising unnecessary points.
Instead, Booker took to the floor with the hope of “disrupting the normal business of the United States Senate for as long as I am physically able,” he said.
The record for the longest individual speech on the floor belongs to Strom Thurmond, who filibustered for 24 hours and 18 minutes in a Civil Rights debate in 1957, according to Senate records.
Booker’s speech is already among the longest all-night sessions on record – and hedoesn’t plan to yield the floor.
“I’m rip-roaring and ready, I’m wide awake,” he said just after 7 am.
“I’m going to stand here for as many hours as I can.”