Protesters across the US turned out for what organizers said would be more than 2,600 “No Kings” protests across the US to voice their opposition to President Donald Trump’s agenda. Saturday’s mass protests followed similar “No Kings” protests on June 14, timed to offset the military parade Trump hosted in Washington on the same day for the 250th anniversary of the US military and his birthday. Organizers estimated that 4 million to 6 million people attended the June demonstrations. “I was really scared for our democracy, really scared for my immigrant neighbors, for people in my community who rely on access to health care and SN benefits, people losing their rights, my trans friends fearing for their lives,” said Stephen Kenny, 26, a policy analyst from Bethesda, Maryland, who attended the protest in Washington, DC. “It felt like the least I had to do.” In Washington, the protest staged next to the US Department of Labor, whose facade was partially covered with a large banner displaying Trump’s face. One protester, Connor O’Donnell, 33, shared his concern that such banners are more common in authoritarian states. “I’m a proud resident of DC, I don’t want to see the military armed against Democratic cities to quell dissent, and I feel energized and proud that we still have the ability to come here to protest,” O’Donnell said, holding a sign that depicted Trump dressed as North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. “As I’m talking to you, I’m looking at a banner of Trump’s face hanging on a federal building next to an American flag, and countries don’t necessarily realize they’re sliding into authoritarianism until it actually happens.” During shutdown The U.S. government has been shut down for 18 days as Senate Democrats and Republicans continue to be embroiled over expanding health care subsidies, a roadblock to a spending bill that would reopen the government. “I would hope that the GOP senators would wake up and stop kissing Trump’s ring and do what they’re supposed to do and run the country,” said Michelle Farrell, 51, a federal contractor who came to Washington from the Maryland suburbs. Trump, who is spending the weekend at his Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida, earlier dismissed the protests and said he was not a king. White House Chief of Protocol Monica Crowley responded Saturday with a post on X showing an AI-generated video of Trump on a White House balcony, dressed in full royal gear and wearing a crown. The protesters showed public opposition to Trump’s push to send National Guard troops to US cities, his immigration crackdown and his cuts to foreign aid and domestic programs favored by Democrats. ©2025 Bloomberg LP This article was generated from an automated news agency feed with no text modifications.
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