The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has advised its 94 U.S. Attorney Offices to prepare for potential criminal investigations as thousands of demonstrators plan to participate in nationwide ‘No Kings’ protests against the Trump administration’s policies on Saturday. The protests, organized as a form of public defiance against the current administration’s policies, are expected to involve tens of thousands of participants in major cities across the country. This is anticipated to coincide with a military parade in Washington, D.C., marking the Army’s 250th anniversary and celebrating Flag Day.
Citing the potential for unlawful violence and property damage, the DOJ has emphasized that it will not tolerate any actions that go beyond peaceful protest. A spokesperson for the DOJ noted, ‘The Department respects the right to peacefully protest and assemble to engage on important issues, but it will not tolerate unlawful violence and destruction of property.’ This statement was shared with Fox News Digital as a part of the DOJ’s prepared remarks.
The ‘No Kings’ protests are described by their organizers as a ‘nationwide day of defiance,’ aimed at rejecting authoritarianism and asserting the people’s right to shape history. Organizers on their website have asserted that the American flag does not belong to President Trump but to the people. They have stated that the protests are not just a response to current events but a declaration of their own democratic values and beliefs.
Despite warnings from the administration about the potential use of force to disperse any illegal gatherings, the organizers have stated that their goal is to ensure peaceful protest and the protection of democratic institutions. The protests are expected to take place in cities such as Philadelphia, Virginia, Maryland, and Washington, D.C., where one of the protest events, DC Joy Day, will be hosted in Anacostia Park within the city. The military parade and the protests are set against a backdrop of ongoing political and social tensions, with recent days seeing violent riots in Los Angeles and New York City.