Millions Join Nationwide "No Kings" Protests Against Trump's Perceived Authoritarianism

The demonstrations were predominantly festive, frequently featuring inflatable figures and participants in various costumes.

United States:

Americans of all ages participated in massive "No Kings" rallies throughout the United States on Saturday, protesting what they consider authoritarian tendencies and widespread corruption under President Donald Trump's administration.

Happening now: Here's a view of the "No Kings" protest in Washington, DC

Organizers anticipated millions of participants by the end of the day across more than 2,600 planned gatherings in major cities, small towns, and suburban areas. These protests challenged Trump's agenda that has rapidly transformed the government and disrupted democratic norms since his inauguration in January.

READ: 'We Love America, Not Trump': Millions Rally In US 'No Kings' Protests

Reports indicated the demonstrations were largely celebratory, often featuring inflatable characters and protesters in costumes. The diverse crowds included parents with children in strollers alongside elderly participants and people accompanied by pets.

Minimal unlawful activity was reported.

"There is nothing more American than saying, 'We don't have kings' and exercising our right to peacefully protest," stated Leah Greenberg, co-founder of Indivisible, a progressive organization that coordinated Saturday's events.

Demonstrators gathered in New York City's Times Square, where police reported "zero protest-related arrests" despite more than 100,000 people rallying peacefully across all five boroughs.

Events in Boston, Philadelphia, Atlanta, Denver, Chicago, and Seattle also attracted crowds appearing to number thousands or tens of thousands.

Photo Credit: Reuters

On the West Coast, over a dozen rallies took place around Los Angeles, including the main downtown location. In Seattle, protesters filled a parade route extending more than a mile from downtown through the Seattle Center around the Space Needle. San Diego police reported over 25,000 peaceful protesters.

The protests reflected increasing concern among many Americans, particularly those on the political left, regarding developments such as criminal prosecution of Trump's perceived political opponents, his militarized immigration enforcement, and deployment of National Guard troops into American cities—which Trump has claimed was intended to combat crime and protect immigration agents.

As his administration has rapidly implemented policies, Trump has appointed inexperienced loyalists throughout government ranks and attempted to pressure news media, law firms, and universities.

Saturday's rallies were energetic but orderly, with minimal police presence.

Protesters filled a Washington, DC street marching toward the Capitol, chanting and carrying signs, American flags, and balloons in a carnival-like atmosphere.

Aliston Elliot, wearing a Statue of Liberty headpiece and holding a "No Wannabe Dictators" sign, said: "We want to show our support for democracy and fighting for what is right. I'm against the overreach of power."

In downtown Houston, U.S. Marine Corps veteran Daniel Aboyte Gamez, 30, joined approximately 5,000 protesters at city hall.

"I don't understand what's going on in this nation right now," said Gamez, who served in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Syria.

Kevin Brice, 70, a military veteran among thousands of protesters in Portland, Oregon, wore a black sweatshirt with "No Kings since 1776" printed on it—referencing the year of the Declaration of Independence.

"Everything that I thought that I stood for while I was serving in the military seems to be at risk," Brice said. "So even though I'm a lifelong Republican, I don't support the direction the party is going."

Steve Klopp, 74, a retired oil industry worker from Houston, expressed similar sentiments while wearing a shirt reading "Former Republican."

"I've been a Republican forever," Klopp said. "My family's been Republican forever and ever. And the idea that one individual could have turned me away from the Republican Party is insane."

Kelly Kinsella, 38, standing among several thousand protesters outside Colorado's statehouse in Denver, dressed as Lady Liberty with bloody tears on her face.

Photo Credit: Reuters

"Everyone comes to work stressed, and it's because of the current conditions," said Kinsella, who attributed her participation largely to renewed inflation she blamed on Trump's tariff policies.

Trump has commented minimally about Saturday's protests. However, in a Fox Business interview aired Friday, he stated, "they're referring to me as a king - I'm not a king."

While the Democratic Party has experienced internal divisions since Trump's reelection last year, establishment figures like Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and progressive leaders like Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez both expressed support for the "No Kings" movement.

Saturday's protests aimed to build upon momentum from over 2,000 "No Kings" demonstrations held on June 14, coinciding with Trump's 79th birthday and a rare military parade in Washington.

House of Representatives Speaker Mike Johnson, a Republican, echoed a common party sentiment Friday, labeling the "No Kings" protests "the hate America rally."

Other Republicans have accused protest organizers of creating an atmosphere potentially encouraging political violence, particularly following September's assassination of right-wing activist and Trump ally Charlie Kirk.

Vice President JD Vance, speaking Saturday to Marines at Camp Pendleton in Southern California, didn't mention the protests. Instead, he criticized Democrats regarding the government shutdown that began earlier this month amid partisan disagreement over federal appropriations.

Dana Fisher, an American University professor and author of books on political activism, predicted Saturday could see one of the largest protest turnouts in modern U.S. history.

She anticipated over 3 million participants based on registrations and June event attendance. Total turnout for the June 14 rallies was estimated between 4-6 million, according to crowd-sourcing analysis published by prominent data journalist G Elliott Morris.