'No Kings' rallies draw millions protesting Trump’s authoritarianism
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Millions across the US joined “No Kings” rallies to protest Donald Trump’s authoritarian rule in one of the nation’s largest protest waves.
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Crowds gather to listen to Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., during the No Kings protest, Saturday, October 18, 2025, in Washington. (AP)
Millions of protesters took to the streets across the United States on Saturday in “No Kings” rallies denouncing what they called the authoritarian tendencies and corruption of US President Donald Trump. Organizers said more than 2,600 demonstrations were held in cities, suburbs, and small towns nationwide, marking one of the largest coordinated protest movements in recent US history.
The gatherings, which drew participants of all ages, were largely peaceful and often festive, featuring inflatable caricatures of Trump and marchers in creative costumes. Parents pushed strollers alongside retirees, while others brought their pets, chanting slogans like “No Kings Since 1776” and “Democracy, Not Dictatorship.”
“There is nothing more American than saying, ‘We don’t have kings,’ and exercising our right to peacefully protest,” said Leah Greenberg, co-founder of the progressive group Indivisible, which helped organize the events.
Growing disillusionment with Trump’s rule
In New York City, more than 100,000 people flooded Times Square and other boroughs without any protest-related arrests, police confirmed. Similar turnouts were reported in Boston, Philadelphia, Atlanta, Denver, Chicago, and Seattle, while Los Angeles hosted over a dozen rallies across the metro area. In San Diego alone, more than 25,000 protesters marched peacefully, according to local authorities.
The movement reflects mounting frustration among US citizens, particularly progressives, over Trump’s consolidation of power and his administration’s actions, from criminal cases targeting political opponents to the deployment of National Guard troops in major cities. Protesters also cited concerns about press freedom, judicial independence, and the appointment of unqualified loyalists to key government positions.
In Washington, D.C., demonstrators filled the streets leading to the Capitol, waving flags and holding balloons in a carnival-like atmosphere.
Political reactions and mounting tensions
Trump himself downplayed the demonstrations, telling Fox Business on Friday that “they’re referring to me as a king, I’m not a king”. Prominent Democrats, from Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer to Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, expressed solidarity with the protesters, praising the rallies as a defense of democracy.
Republican leaders, however, condemned the demonstrations. House Speaker Mike Johnson called the “No Kings” protests “the hate America rally,” accusing organizers of fueling division. Others in the GOP claimed the rallies could incite political violence, especially following the September assassination of right-wing activist Charlie Kirk.
At Camp Pendleton in California, Vice President JD Vance avoided direct reference to the protests during remarks to Marines, instead criticizing Democrats over the ongoing government shutdown.
Political scientist Dana Fisher of American University estimated that more than 3 million people participated nationwide, a turnout rivaling the largest protest waves in recent history. “This is a movement signaling that large portions of the public are deeply uncomfortable with the erosion of democratic norms,” Fisher said.
A message against authoritarianism
Trump has intensified his efforts to expand federal power in recent months, deploying immigration agents and federal troops to several US cities and proposing new measures to criminalize what he describes as “left-wing extremism.” City leaders across the country have sued to block the federal interventions, accusing the administration of militarizing local policing and suppressing dissent.
“The president wants us to be scared, but we will not be bullied into fear and silence,” said Lisa Gilbert, co-president of the advocacy group Public Citizen, one of the event’s main organizers. “It’s incredibly important for people to remain peaceful, to stand proud, and to say what they care about.”
The No Kings coalition, representing more than 200 organizations, has called for nonviolent demonstrations and extensive safety training for participants. Tens of thousands of volunteers have reportedly undergone de-escalation and legal observer training in preparation for the mass protests.
Prominent lawmakers, including Senators Chuck Schumer, Chris Murphy, and Bernie Sanders, are expected to participate in the marches. Sanders said in a statement Friday that “the American people are standing up to say enough — no one is above the law, not even Donald Trump.”
