Huge crowds protest against Trump on ‘No Kings’ day in the US and abroad

On Saturday, millions of demonstrators gathered across the United States and in several international locations to voice opposition to President Donald Trump. The protests spanned a wide array of concerns, including his perceived authoritarian approach, strict immigration policies, climate change skepticism, and involvement in the Iran conflict. Organizers anticipated the demonstrations could become one of the largest in U.S. history, with over 3,100 events planned in urban, suburban, and rural areas. They estimated the number of participants might surpass nine million.

A Grassroots Movement Gains Momentum

This marked the third time in under a year that “No Kings” activists mobilized nationwide. The initiative, rooted in grassroots efforts, originated with a protest on Trump’s 79th birthday last June, coinciding with a military parade he hosted in Washington. Similar events followed in October, drawing approximately seven million demonstrators. The movement has grown steadily, with two-thirds of Saturday’s participants coming from non-major city areas, a shift from previous gatherings.

“He keeps lying and lying and lying and lying, and no one says anything. So it’s a terrible situation we’re in,”

— a protester quoted by AFP during the Washington demonstrations.

The protests underscored the deepening political rift in the U.S. While Trump remains a hero to his supporters within the “Make America Great Again” movement, critics condemn his use of executive power, judicial targeting of opponents, and his stance on climate issues. Many also expressed frustration over his dismantling of diversity programs and escalation of military actions, despite his campaign promises of peace.

In Washington, thousands marched on the National Mall, waving signs like “Trump Must Go Now” and “Fight Fascism.” In New York City, tens of thousands gathered, including Oscar-winning actor Roberto De Niro, who labeled the president an “existential threat to our freedoms and security.”

International Protests Highlight Global Concerns

Protests extended beyond the U.S. to Europe, where around 20,000 demonstrators took to the streets under heavy police supervision in Amsterdam, Madrid, and Rome. In Paris, a smaller group, mostly American expatriates and French labor unions, gathered at the Bastille. The local organizer, Ada Shen, focused on Trump’s “illegal, immoral, reckless and feckless endless wars.”

Rome’s rallies combined criticism of the U.S. and Israel’s actions in Iran with dissent toward Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, following her referendum’s failure. In London, protesters also targeted the Iran war, holding banners like “stop the far right” and “stand up to racism.”

The White House dismissed the events, calling them “leftist funding networks” lacking genuine public backing. Spokesperson Abigail Jackson remarked, “The only people who care about these Trump Derangement Syndrome Therapy Sessions are the reporters who are paid to cover them.”

The National Republican Congressional Committee echoed similar sentiments, framing the protests as “Hate America Rallies” where the far-left’s “most violent, deranged fantasies get a microphone.”

As the November midterms approach and Trump’s approval rating dips below 40%, the “No Kings” movement has become the most vocal opposition to his presidency since his second term began in January 2025.