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Large crowds gathered across all 50 U.S. states on Saturday to protest President Donald Trump’s aggressive policies during “No Kings” demonstrations. These protests, which some Republicans labeled as “Hate America” rallies, spanned from New York and D.C. to smaller cities in Michigan and Florida, with preparations underway for similar events out west. Over 2,700 protests are scheduled nationwide, with organizers anticipating millions of participants.
At a rally in Washington near the National Mall, thousands chanted, “This is what democracy looks like!” and “Hey hey ho ho, Donald Trump has got to go!” Many protesters waved American flags as they voiced their frustrations over what they view as authoritarian tactics since Trump’s January return to power, including media attacks, the prosecution of political rivals, and a broad immigration enforcement campaign.
The ongoing government shutdown is now in its third week, with the Trump administration dismissing thousands of federal employees, and congressional leaders showing little evidence of resolving the deadlock. Crowds also assembled in New York’s Times Square, Boston Common, and Chicago’s Grant Park.
Retiree Colleen Hoffman, 69, who was marching down Broadway, expressed despair, saying, “I never thought I would live to see the death of my country as a democracy.” She added, “We’re in a crisis—the cruelty from this regime, the authoritarianism. I can’t just sit at home and do nothing.”
In Queens, protesters carried vibrant signs like “Queens Say No Kings” and “We protest because we love America and want it back!” Some chanted slogans such as “We love our country, we can’t stand Trump!”
In Los Angeles, organizers plan to display a giant balloon of Trump dressed in a diaper, expecting around 100,000 attendees. Trump’s response to these protests has been subdued; he told Fox News that the “No Kings” movement was inaccurately suggesting he is a king, asserting, “I’m not a king.” Conversely, his top supporters, including House Speaker Mike Johnson, labeled the protests as “Hate America rallies,” alleging they bring together socialists, Marxists, Antifa advocates, anarchists, and far-left Democrats associated with Hamas.
Republican lawmaker Tom Emmer also referred to the event as the “Hate America” gathering, accusing its participants of being part of the “terrorist wing” of the Democratic Party. Outside the U.S., the “No Kings” movement has organized events in Canada and held smaller protests in Malaga, Spain, and Malmö, Sweden.
Deirdre Schifeling, chief political and advocacy officer at the American Civil Liberties Union, emphasized that protesters aim to reinforce that America “is a country of equals.” She stated, “We are a nation ruled by laws that apply to everyone, with due process and democracy. We will not be silenced.” Leah Greenberg, co-founder of the Indivisible Project, criticized the Trump administration’s efforts to send National Guard units into cities and to crack down on undocumented immigrants, noting that troops have been deployed to Los Angeles, Washington, and Memphis, with plans to send them to Chicago and Portland being challenged in court.
Greenberg described such actions as classic authoritarian tactics: “Threatening, smearing, lying, and scaring people into submission.” Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer encouraged Americans to voice their opinions, urging them not to let Trump and the GOP threaten silence. On social media, he advised, “Speak out, use your voice, and exercise your right to free speech.”
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