Cory Booker Urges Democrats: Stop Bending the Knee to Trump

Democratic Senator Cory Booker of New Jersey is urging his party to take a tougher stance against Donald Trump, saying Democrats need to show voters they stand on principle and will not “bend the knee” to the former president.

In an interview with CNN’s Manu Raju, Booker criticized institutions he believes have yielded to Trump’s influence. “What I want to see more people doing is not doing what some law firms have done, bend the knee to Donald Trump. Not doing what some universities have done, bend the knee to Donald Trump. You see major corporations who want some merger approval not standing up on principle but bending the knee to Donald Trump. That to me is outrageous,” Booker said.

Booker argued that history will remember those who stood by while Trump “undermines our government,” pointing to the January 6 riot as a key example.

The senator has also clashed with members of his own party in recent days, seeking to add language to bipartisan police benefits bills that would prevent the Trump administration from withholding Justice Department grants for political purposes. He said his home state of New Jersey has already seen the impact of such actions.

Booker also pressed Democrats to be more aggressive in redistricting, citing Republican-led efforts in Texas to reshape congressional maps in their favor. He said Democrats should consider similar actions in New Jersey, arguing that “playing by the queen’s rules” won’t be enough to counter Republican tactics.

“This is a moment in history where people are going to ask, ‘Where did you stand? Did you bow to an authoritarian leader or did you stand strong and fight?’” Booker said.

As frustration grows among Democratic voters, Booker’s call for a more assertive approach underscores a growing divide within the party about how to confront Trump heading into the 2026 midterms.

Credit: CNN Newsource

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