Sen. Cory Booker, D-N.J., will testify against the nomination of Sen. Jeff Sessions, R-Ala., based on what Booker perceives as Sessions' hostility toward civil rights, a rare break with the Senate tradition of deference toward fellow members.

But less than a year ago, Booker was sharing "one of my life's greatest moments" with Sessions, speaking at a ceremony awarding the Congressional Gold Medal to the "foot soldiers" who had participated in the 1965 civil rights march from Selma to Montgomery, Ala.

Booker coauthored the legislation granting the award with Sessions.

"This is truly one of my life's greatest moments," Booker said at the February 2016 ceremony. "I am humbled to be able to participate here and pay tribute to some of the extraordinary Americans whose footsteps paved the way for me and my generation. I feel blessed and honored to have partnered with Senator Sessions in being the Senate sponsors of this important award. This award is one of the highest civilian honors our nation can bestow, and it is clearly fitting to give this tribute to the courageous foot soldiers."



Now, Booker is calling Sessions a "danger to our country" as he explains his decision to testify against him.

"We've seen Jeff Sessions — that's Senator Jeff Sessions — consistently voting against or speaking out against key ideals of the Voting Rights Act, taking measures to try to block criminal justice reform," Booker told NBC. "He has a posture and a positioning that I think represent a real danger to our country."