In brief
Thousands are expected to gather in Washington, D.C., and across the United States for the 'No Kings' protests against President Trump's administration, amidst a prolonged government shutdown. Organizers voice concerns about increasing authoritarianism, while Republican leaders label the protests as extremist rallies. The movement has gained significant momentum since earlier protests this year and promotes a unified response to Trump's policies, emphasizing constitutional values and democratic governance.
Protesting the direction of the country under President Donald Trump, people will gather Saturday in the nation’s capital and communities across the U.S. for 'No Kings' demonstrations — what the president’s Republican Party is calling 'Hate America' rallies.This is the third mass mobilization since Trump’s return to the White House and it is expected to be the largest. It comes against the backdrop of a government shutdown that has closed federal programs and services, testing the balance of power as an aggressive executive confronts Congress and the courts in ways that organizers warn are a slide toward American authoritarianism.Trump himself is away from Washington at his Mar-a-Lago home in Florida. 'They say they’re referring to me as a king. I’m not a king,' Trump stated before heading to a fundraiser.While earlier protests this year against Elon Musk’s cuts and Trump’s military parade attracted crowds, organizers believe this demonstration is building a more unified opposition movement. Notable Democratic leaders are participating, viewing it as a necessary response to Trump’s actions, from his administration’s clampdown on free speech to military-style immigration raids.Ezra Levin, a co-founder of Indivisible, noted, 'There is no greater threat to an authoritarian regime than patriotic people-power.' Despite Republican dismissals of the protests as radical, organizers report over 2,600 rallies planned in cities across the nation, with similar actions also taking place overseas.Republicans have worked to depict the participants as outsiders, attributing the ongoing government shutdown to the protesters and their leaders, further polarizing the political landscape as the country navigates these contentious issues.
