On Saturday, thousands of Americans are expected to join “No Kings” protests in over 2,500 locations across the U.S., opposing President Donald Trump’s policies.
The demonstrations, the third major mobilization since Trump’s return to the White House, follow a government shutdown and concerns over what organizers describe as authoritarian actions, including restrictions on free speech and aggressive immigration raids.
The protests coincide with Trump’s absence from Washington, as he attends a $1 million-per-plate fundraiser at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida.
Organizers anticipate the largest turnout yet, building on previous protests against Trump’s military parade in June and budget cuts earlier this year.
The movement has drawn support from prominent figures, including Senate Leader Chuck Schumer, Independent Sen. Bernie Sanders, and celebrities like Jane Fonda and John Legend.
Organizers, including Indivisible co-founder Ezra Levin, emphasize the protests as a stand against centralized power.
Republicans, however, have labeled the rallies “Hate America” demonstrations, with some, like Kansas Senator Roger Marshall, expressing doubts about their peacefulness. Trump himself dismissed the “king” label in a Fox News interview, stating, “I’m not a king.”
In response to the planned protests, Republican governors in states like Texas and Virginia have activated National Guard troops, citing concerns over potential unrest.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott referenced an “antifa-linked demonstration” in Austin, prompting criticism from Texas Democrat Gene Wu, who called the move dictatorial.
Protests are also expected to draw international solidarity, with demonstrations planned in Berlin, Madrid, and Rome.
Starting in New York City at 11:00 EST, the rallies aim to challenge what organizers call chaos, corruption, and cruelty in Trump’s administration, testing the nation’s political fault lines.