Thousands of protesters gathered in cities across the United States on Saturday to denounce President Donald Trump’s leadership during massive “No Kings” demonstrations. Organizers held more than 2,600 rallies from New York to Washington, D.C., marking the third major mobilization since Trump’s return to the White House.
Crowds filled Times Square, Boston Common, Chicago’s Grant Park, and hundreds of smaller towns. Protesters waved signs reading “Nothing is more patriotic than protesting” and “Resist Fascism.” Bands played, and participants marched behind a giant banner featuring the U.S. Constitution’s preamble, “We The People.”
By midday, thousands were chanting “Trump must go now!” while mocking the president’s immigration policies. In several cities, the demonstrations took on a festive tone, with drummers, costumes, and street performances symbolizing defiance.
The rallies occurred amid a government shutdown that has disrupted federal programs. Organizers accused Trump of threatening the balance of power by undermining Congress and the courts, warning of a slide toward authoritarian rule.
Trump Dismisses Protests as “Hate America” Rallies
The Republican Party labeled the events “Hate America rallies,” but demonstrators said they acted out of love for democracy.
Trump spent the weekend at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida, where nearby protests were planned. In an interview on Fox News, Trump dismissed accusations of monarchy.
“They say they’re calling me a king. I’m not a king,” he said before attending a $1 million-per-plate fundraiser at his resort.
Organizers described the protests as a show of unity against what they called Trump’s assault on democracy. Previous demonstrations earlier this year — one against Elon Musk’s job cuts and another against Trump’s military parade — drew crowds, but activists said this weekend’s turnout surpassed both.
Top lawmakers including Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Senator Bernie Sanders joined rallies, calling them essential to defending civil rights and free speech.
“There is no greater threat to tyranny than patriotic people-power,” said Ezra Levin, co-founder of Indivisible, one of the main groups behind the movement.
Protests Spread to Europe in Global Solidarity
Supporters abroad also marched in solidarity with U.S. protesters, organizing gatherings in Madrid, Helsinki, and other European capitals.
Hundreds of U.S. citizens living overseas waved placards with slogans like “No Kings, No Oligarchs, No Fascism” and “Trump Stop Humping Putin’s Leg Like a Dog!.” In Madrid, the group Democrats Abroad led chants against Trump’s leadership.
In Helsinki, one protester described how Trump’s policies had tarnished the United States’ reputation abroad.
“Many of my friends won’t even visit America now,” she said. “They’re afraid of what might happen.”
The global demonstrations highlighted widespread concern over the United States’ democratic stability. Organizers vowed to keep rallying until, as one banner read, “The People, Not a King, Lead America Again.”
