Protesters are expected to gather in large numbers in thousands of locations across the United States on Saturday to rally against what many see as increasingly authoritarian actions by US President Donald Trump. It is the second “No Kings” protest this year and the third major nationwide anti-government demonstration, which comes amid growing clashes between federal authorities and protesters across the country.
Some conservative politicians criticized the protests as “Hate America” rallies, while others described them as a “patriotic” defense of First Amendment rights, according to the AP. The number of planned events has reportedly increased to more than 2,700, with online RSVPs from people intending to attend more than doubling in the past week.
Protests are slated to take place across the country, including major cities like New York to small, unrepresented rural communities like East Glacier Ridge, Montana, which has a population of about 300.
In an interview with Real America’s Voice, Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) said: “They call it the ‘No Kings’ rally. We call it the ‘Hate America’ rally. (It will have) all the Marxists gathered, all the antifa people, the (Black Lives Matter) remnants, the pro-Hamas wing and the wing of the Democratic Party out here howling.”
According to a report by The Hill, Joel Payne, chief communications officer for MoveOn, one of about 300 organizations that make up the coalition supporting the protest, said: “The American people have come to a place where they feel that Donald Trump is not respecting the norms of this country in terms of the balance of power, respect for minority rights, respect for rights that we all count on, like free speech.
He added: “It needs to be affirmed that we do not have a king in America – not now, not ever.”
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Ezra Levin, a key organizer of Saturday’s protests, described the demonstrations as a response to what he called Trump’s “attack on First Amendment rights.”
Protesters dressed as cartoon characters of Vice President (L-R) JD Vance, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, US President Donald Trump and Deputy Chief of Staff to the President Steven Miller stand on the National Mall in Washington, DC on October 17, 2025 to kick off the “No Kings” protests planned for the weekend across the country.
Levin, who serves as co-executive director of the nonprofit Indivisible, highlighted Trump’s sweeping crackdown on immigration, his unprecedented threats to use federal authority to influence midterm elections, curbs on press freedom and retaliation against political opponents. He stated that these actions together directly threaten constitutionally protected rights.
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The June “No Kings” protest.
The previous “No Kings” protest took place on June 14 in thousands of cities and towns across the country, largely in opposition to a military parade in Washington to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the military, which also coincided with Trump’s birthday. At the time, “No Kings” organizers described the parade as a “coronation,” symbolizing what they saw as Trump’s escalating authoritarian overreach.
“No Kings” protest in June “No Kings” protest.
One protester lost his life during a march in Salt Lake City in June. A security volunteer fired at someone who was allegedly pointing a rifle at the protesters but accidentally hit and killed Arthur Folasa Ah Loo, a popular fashion designer.
