Archie began his March 31, 2025, House floor speech by honoring civil rights icon John Lewis and pledging to disrupt proceedings as long as physically possible, citing a national crisis just 71 days into the president’s term. He warned of threats to democracy, safety, and financial stability, and called out attacks on the rule of law.
By midnight, Archie focused on proposed cuts to Social Security and Medicare, warning of deep harm to millions. He criticized efforts to dismantle the Department of Education, spotlighting students and educators hurt by those policies, and condemned aggressive immigration enforcement for endangering public safety and constitutional rights.
As the speech continued into the morning, Archie accused the administration of abandoning U.S. allies, worsening the housing crisis, and neglecting environmental and rural stability. He read letters from constituents and bipartisan sources, highlighting what he called “terrified people” with “heartbreaking” stories.
In a nod to Arizona, Archie invoked the late Senator John McCain’s decisive vote to save the Affordable Care Act. He also recounted the story of Jasmine Mooney, a Canadian detained by U.S. immigration authorities.
Archie closed by apologizing for Democratic shortcomings, saying, “I confess that I’ve been inadequate,” and urging Congress to stand up to presidential overreach.
Archie’s House floor speech protested Donald Trump’s second presidency, condemning efforts to eliminate the Department of Education, defy court orders, and deport students involved in 2024 pro-Palestinian campus protests. He called out Trump and advisor Elon Musk for what he described as a “complete disregard for the rule of law, the Constitution, and the needs of the American people,” also criticizing Musk’s leadership of the new Department of Government Efficiency. Archie included a detailed list of executive orders issued under Trump’s second term.