Demonstrators across the United States participated in what organizers described as over 2,600 “No Kings” protests, expressing their opposition to President Donald Trump’s policies. These mass protests took place on Saturday, following the initial “No Kings” demonstrations held on June 14, which coincided with a military parade hosted by Trump in Washington in celebration of the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army and his birthday. Estimates suggest that between 4 million and 6 million people attended the June protests.
“I have been really scared for our democracy, really scared for my immigrant neighbors, for people in my community who rely on health care access and SNAP benefits; people are losing their rights, and my trans friends are afraid for their lives,” said Stephen Kenny, 26, a policy analyst from Bethesda, Maryland, who joined the protest in Washington, D.C. “This felt like the least I should do.”
In Washington, the protest stage was situated near the U.S. Labor Department, which displayed a large banner featuring Trump’s face. Protester Connor O’Donnell, 33, expressed concern that such imagery is increasingly associated with authoritarian regimes. “I’m a proud resident of D.C.; I don’t want to see the military weaponized against Democratic cities to squash dissent, and I am feeling energized and proud that we still have the ability to come here to protest,” O’Donnell stated, holding a sign that depicted Trump dressed as North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. “As I’m speaking to you, I’m looking at a banner of Trump’s face hanging on a federal building next to an American flag, and countries don’t necessarily realize that they’re slipping into authoritarianism until it actually happens.”
The U.S. government has been shut down for 18 days, as Senate Democrats and Republicans remain at an impasse regarding the extension of health care subsidies, which is a sticking point for a spending bill aimed at reopening the government.
“I would hope that the senators from the GOP would wake up and stop kissing Trump’s ring and do what they’re supposed to do and manage the country,” remarked Michelle Farrell, 51, a federal contractor who traveled from the Maryland suburbs to Washington.
Trump, who spent the weekend at his Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida, dismissed the protests, asserting he is not a king. White House protocol chief Monica Crowley responded by posting an AI-generated video on social media depicting Trump on a White House balcony attired in royal regalia and wearing a crown.
The protests highlighted public dissent against Trump’s decisions to deploy National Guard troops to U.S. cities, conduct immigration raids, and cut foreign aid and domestic programs that are generally supported by Democrats.
