Massive anti-Trump ‘No Kings’ protests took place across the United States on Saturday, with over 2,700 events planned in all 50 states. Demonstrators gathered in major cities such as Washington, D.C., New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami, and Austin, carrying signs that read ‘No kings, no oligarchs’ and ‘I pledge allegiance to no king.’ The protests were organized in response to President Donald Trump’s policies, with participants accusing him of abusing his power and undermining democratic institutions. Many demonstrators also condemned his recent orders to deploy the National Guard to several cities under the claim that he was combating crime and illegal migration.
Protesters gathered outside the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., and in Times Square, as well as in other major urban centers, expressing their opposition to Trump’s leadership. The ‘No Kings’ movement, which had been gaining momentum in recent months, called for the rejection of authoritarian tendencies and the defense of democratic values. Organizers emphasized that the president’s actions were seen as an attempt to consolidate power and suppress dissent, with one statement on the ‘No Kings’ website warning that ‘the president thinks his rule is absolute. But in America, we don’t have kings and we won’t back down against chaos, corruption, and cruelty.’
Several prominent political figures lent their support to the demonstrations. Left-wing Senator Bernie Sanders addressed the rally in Washington, D.C., calling the protesters ‘a force for the defense of democracy and our freedoms.’ House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries also endorsed the movement, stating that ‘peaceful expression of dissent is entirely consistent with the American way.’ However, the protests faced strong opposition from within the Republican Party. House Speaker Mike Johnson criticized the demonstrations as a tool of ‘hate America’ groups, claiming that the events would feature ‘Hamas supporters, antifa types, and Marxists on full display.’ Meanwhile, White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt accused the Democratic Party of being ‘made up of Hamas terrorists, illegal aliens, and violent criminals,’ highlighting the deepening political polarization surrounding the issue.
While the protests were primarily driven by public discontent with Trump’s leadership, they also reflected broader tensions within American politics. The demonstrations served as a focal point for debates over the role of the presidency, the limits of executive power, and the importance of democratic accountability. As the nation continues to grapple with these issues, the ‘No Kings’ movement has become a symbol of the ongoing struggle to balance power and protect the principles of democracy in the United States.