New Jersey Senator Cory Booker leveled fierce criticism against President Donald Trump’s emerging diplomatic deal with Iran, while simultaneously calling out his own party’s leadership during a Sunday appearance on CNN’s “State of the Union” with Jake Tapper.
The interview touched on a leaked memorandum of understanding with Iran that reportedly includes a 60-day cease-fire, the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, and an Iranian commitment to halt its nuclear weapons pursuit. Booker, who faces no opposition in his upcoming primary, expressed deep frustration over the parameters of the deal, arguing that it fails to adequately contain Iran’s nuclear capabilities compared to the 2015 Obama-era agreement.
“This is what I’m seeing that has me so outraged right now, is the president said he went into this to deal with their nuclear program. This does not deal with that,” Booker said. “Before he became president the first time, they had no highly enriched uranium. They had sent it out. Now they have it because of him.”
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Booker further argued that the financial concessions under the current administration exceed those previously criticized by Republicans, claiming Trump has allowed Iran to generate over $14 billion through oil sales during the conflict. “Giving Iran more money, as he has said, will allow them to do things like fuel their proxy — terrorist proxies,” Booker stated, adding, “This weak nation has put America in a stalemate, and Donald Trump is being played as a fool that he is for getting us into this in the first place.”
The conversation shifted to internal Democratic politics following CNN’s reporting on a leaked Democratic National Committee (DNC) autopsy report from the 2024 campaign. The document reportedly omitted key party challenges, including President Biden’s initial decision to seek reelection and internal party divisions over the Israel-Gaza conflict.
Booker acknowledged long-standing personal frustrations with the party apparatus, urging Democrats to shift their focus away from party dynamics and toward the immediate financial hardships of voters. He pointed to emerging figures like Representative James Talarico, Senator Jon Ossoff, and Governor Roy Cooper as examples of leaders building public trust.
When pressed on whether he retains faith in Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, Booker deflated the question of internal party challenges, focusing instead on broader systemic issues five months ahead of the election.
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“The Democratic Party desperately needs new leadership, and that’s what’s exciting me about this cycle,” Booker said, clarifying that his call was for fresh vision and policy proposals rather than an immediate ousting of specific leaders.
Booker outlined several of his own policy proposals, including eliminating federal income tax on the first $75,000 of income for families and implementing strict anti-corruption measures. He condemned the current state of American governance across all branches, citing stock trading by members of Congress, billionaires giving gifts to Supreme Court justices, and corporate tax avoidance.
“We had 88 last year, pay no taxes of our biggest corporation, while firefighters or military people serving right now are paying a higher effective tax rate,” Booker said. “The system is rigged. People feel that, and they need leaders that speak to that pain and have a vision to get us out of it.”
Closing the interview over Memorial Day weekend, Booker paused to honor the American service members recently killed in action during the ongoing conflict, correcting an initial count to acknowledge the loss of 14 soldiers.
“Freedom of the press, freedom of speech, all of those things were paid for by the sacrifices of our ancestors,” Booker said. “This is a weekend that’s not a weekend off. We should actually be focused in centering their sacrifice, especially right now that we’re at war and there are people in harm’s way.”
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