‘No Kings’ Protests Target Trump’s Power Expansion Nationwide/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Thousands across the U.S. took part in “No Kings” protests against President Trump, calling out his growing executive power and the ongoing government shutdown. The GOP labeled the demonstrations “Hate America” rallies, while Democrats defended them as acts of patriotism. With over 2,600 rallies planned, organizers aim to build a lasting opposition movement.
Nationwide Protests Against Trump Surge: ‘No Kings’ Quick Looks
- Over 2,600 “No Kings” protests held across the U.S. Saturday.
- Demonstrations target Trump’s power grab, shutdown, and immigration raids.
- GOP leaders label the events “Hate America” rallies.
- Trump held a $1M-per-plate fundraiser in Mar-a-Lago as protests unfolded.
- Organizers include Indivisible, with support from leaders like Schumer and Sanders.
- Protesters demand constitutional checks, accuse Trump of authoritarian behavior.
- Democrats refuse to pass a GOP funding bill without healthcare guarantees.
- Rallies extended globally with solidarity events in European cities.
- Republicans say shutdown prolongs due to far-left influence.
- Protesters vow ongoing action: “There is no greater threat to authoritarianism than people power.”
‘No Kings’ Protests Draw Thousands as Americans Push Back Against Trump: Deep Look
WASHINGTON — Demonstrators flooded city streets across the U.S. and abroad Saturday in a show of unified resistance against President Donald Trump and what they describe as his authoritarian overreach. The so-called “No Kings” movement, now in its third major national action since Trump returned to office, aims to reassert democratic norms in the face of growing executive power.
Protests took place in over 2,600 cities and towns, with thousands waving American flags and carrying signs criticizing Trump’s leadership, his stance on immigration, and the now 18-day-long government shutdown. From Times Square in New York City to downtown Birmingham, Alabama, and beyond, demonstrators voiced outrage over what they view as the erosion of democratic principles.
In Bethesda, Maryland, one protester held a sign reading, “Nothing is more patriotic than protesting.” Another, Brian Reymann, marched in Washington, D.C., carrying a large American flag. “The vilification of others that this country has adopted right now — it’s sad, it’s pathetic, and it’s terrifying,” Reymann said, addressing Republicans’ accusations that protesters are un-American.
Across the Potomac, retired doctor Terence McCormally joined others walking across the Memorial Bridge toward the Lincoln Memorial, calling out the administration’s “crooks, conmen, and religious zealots.” Though he expected peaceful protests, he expressed unease about the recent National Guard deployments.
President Trump, meanwhile, was absent from Washington. Speaking from Mar-a-Lago ahead of a $1 million-per-plate MAGA Inc. fundraiser, he brushed off the protests.
“They say they’re referring to me as a king. I’m not a king,” Trump said in a pre-recorded Fox News interview.
Organizers Rally Around People-Powered Patriotism
The protest movement was coordinated by a coalition of progressive groups, including Indivisible, MoveOn, and numerous student and civil rights organizations. Ezra Levin, co-founder of Indivisible, described the protests as “a patriotic response to authoritarianism.”
“There is no greater threat to an authoritarian regime than patriotic people-power,” Levin said.
Crowds in New York City chanted “Trump must go now!” while waving signs condemning the president’s immigration raids and military tactics. European cities joined in with solidarity marches of Americans abroad, including in Berlin, London, and Paris.
Organizers say the rallies signal a more organized, ideologically unified resistance movement compared to earlier, more fragmented protests. Previous mass demonstrations, such as the March against Elon Musk’s budget cuts in the spring and Trump’s military parade in June, laid the groundwork for this broader mobilization.
GOP Brands Protests “Anti-American”
Republican leaders were quick to denounce the rallies as extremist and counterproductive.
House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) labeled them “Hate America rallies”, claiming that attendees included “antifa types,” “Marxists,” and “people who hate capitalism.”
“Let’s see who shows up,” Johnson said, implying the rallies reflect fringe political views rather than mainstream dissent. The GOP claims Democrats are beholden to the far left, prolonging the government shutdown in pursuit of political points.
The White House issued no official comment, but GOP-aligned media continued to portray the events as anti-American.
Democrats Push Back: “This Is Patriotism”
Leading Democrats defended the protests as deeply patriotic and constitutionally protected. Senator Bernie Sanders dismissed Republican criticisms, calling it a “love America rally.”
“It’s a rally of millions of people who believe in the Constitution, who believe in freedom,” Sanders said. “We’re not going to let Trump turn this country into an authoritarian state.”
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries both expressed support for the demonstrators.
“What’s hateful is what happened on January 6,” Jeffries said, referencing the Capitol riot. “What you’ll see this weekend is what patriotism looks like.”
Democrats have refused to vote for the GOP’s government funding package, demanding provisions for healthcare, which the Trump administration seeks to cut. While Republicans insist talks can resume once the government reopens, Democrats say this moment is about more than short-term funding.
They argue it’s an opportunity to push back against what they describe as Trump’s authoritarian drift, including his increasing use of executive orders, the targeting of sanctuary cities, and aggressive law enforcement tactics.
Momentum Building on the Left
This latest protest wave marks a notable turnaround for the Democratic Party and the broader left, which had appeared fractured just months ago. In April, a march targeting Trump and Elon Musk registered 1,300 locations. The first “No Kings” day in June had 2,100. Saturday’s actions topped 2,600, indicating growing enthusiasm and coordination.
“We are finally seeing Democrats grow a backbone,” said Indivisible’s Levin. “The worst thing the Democrats could do right now is surrender.”
Though it’s unclear how long the government shutdown will last, Saturday’s protests may offer a glimpse of a longer fight ahead — not just about policy, but about America’s political identity in the Trump era.
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