More than 2,600 rallies erupted across the United States on Saturday, as thousands of Americans protested against President Donald Trump’s leadership during nationwide “No Kings” demonstrations.
Crowds packed Times Square, Boston Commons, Grant Park, and Washington, D.C., along with hundreds of smaller towns. Before noon, thousands had already gathered in New York and Washington, chanting “Trump must go now!” and waving signs condemning his immigration policies.
Protesters carried banners reading “Nothing is more patriotic than protesting” and “Resist Fascism.” The rallies took on a festive tone, with marching bands, a massive “We The People” banner for signatures, and demonstrators dressed as frogs — a symbol of resistance in Portland, Oregon.
Organizers said the event marked the third mass mobilization since Trump’s return to office. The demonstrations occurred amid a government shutdown that has closed key federal programs and stirred concerns about executive overreach. Protest leaders warned that Trump’s actions signal a drift toward authoritarianism.
Political Leaders Join Protests as White House Criticizes Movement
The Republican Party dismissed the rallies as “Hate America” events, while Trump stayed at Mar-a-Lago for a $1 million-per-plate MAGA fundraiser. Nearby protests were also expected in Florida.
During a Fox News interview on Friday, Trump addressed his critics.
“They call me a king. I’m not a king,” he said before departing for his club event.
Despite earlier protests this year — including ones against Elon Musk’s corporate cuts and Trump’s June military parade — organizers said this latest wave has united the opposition.
Top Democrats such as Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Senator Bernie Sanders joined the protests, calling the movement an essential counterforce to what they describe as Trump’s attacks on free speech and democracy.
Ezra Levin, co-founder of Indivisible, called the protests a patriotic act.
“No threat scares authoritarianism more than people standing together,” he said.
Global Demonstrations Show Solidarity with US Protesters
In solidarity, hundreds of people rallied across Europe, joining Americans abroad in voicing opposition to Trump’s leadership.
Crowds gathered in Madrid, where demonstrators waved signs at an event organized by Democrats Abroad. In Helsinki, protesters expressed concern about the United States’ global image.
“My European friends refuse to visit America now,” one participant said. “They fear what could happen there.”
Protesters carried witty and defiant signs reading “No Kings,” “No Faux-king Way,” “No Kings, No Oligarchs, No Fascism,” and “Trump stop humping Putin’s leg like a dog!”
The “No Kings” movement has become a powerful symbol of American resistance — one that continues to inspire solidarity from New York to Helsinki, as demonstrators call for accountability, democracy, and the rejection of authoritarian rule.
