Nationwide No Kings Protests Target Trump Amid Government Shutdown

Massive "No Kings" protests erupted across the U.S., drawing over 7 million participants opposing what they view as authoritarian measures under President Donald Trump's administration, including militarized deployments in Democrat-led cities and intensified immigration enforcement. While many protesters carried messages like "Nothing is more patriotic than protesting" and "Resist Fascism," some displayed highly controversial signs advocating violence, such as calls for the assassination of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk, which sparked widespread condemnation. In response, President Trump and his allies, including House Speaker Mike Johnson, defended the protests' criticism as satire and dismissed the protesters' rhetoric as extremist, with Trump posting a digitally altered video of himself as a monarch to mock the "No Kings" movement. The Republican Party labeled the protests as "Hate America" rallies, framing their opposition to the demonstrations. The protests coincided with a government shutdown that intensified political tensions, raising concerns about a slide toward authoritarianism. Meanwhile, Trump's administration faces criticism both for policy decisions and the handling of public dissent, highlighting deep divisions in U.S. politics.