Millions turn out for “No Kings” rallies held worldwide to protest against Trump
Tens of thousands of demonstrators filled the streets of major American cities on Saturday, marking the third and largest wave of the “No Kings” protest movement since President Donald Trump’s return to the White House.
Organizers of the nationwide rallies claim a record-breaking turnout of over 8 million people. A growing list of grievances triggered the demonstrations, including the administration’s military involvement in Iran, aggressive immigration enforcement, and a sharp rise in the cost of living.
In a statement, organizers characterized the movement as a defense of American democracy. “Trump is attempting to govern with the authority of a tyrant,” the statement read. “We are here to remind him that in this country, power resides with the citizens, not with aspiring monarchs or their wealthy associates.”
The White House quickly dismissed the massive gatherings. A spokesperson mocked the events as “Trump Derangement Therapy Sessions,” suggesting the protests only held interest for the media outlets covering them.
Clashes and High-Profile Appearances
While the protests spanned from coast to coast, one of the most significant rallies took place in St. Paul, Minnesota. Officials chose the location to honor Renee Nicole Good and Alex Pretti, two American citizens killed by federal immigration agents in January. Their deaths have become a central rallying cry for those opposed to the administration’s new border policies.
In St. Paul, high-profile Democratic leaders and rock icon Bruce Springsteen joined the crowd, with Springsteen performing “Streets of Minneapolis,” a somber anthem criticizing federal immigration tactics.
In New York City, a sea of protesters obscured the iconic neon of Times Square. The growing march forced the NYPD to halt traffic across Midtown Manhattan. Actor Robert De Niro, a frequent and vocal critic of the president, appeared among the crowd.
Speaking to reporters, De Niro expressed grave concern over the current political trajectory. “It’s getting more dangerous by the hour,” De Niro said. “We are already in a war, and the next step is boots on the ground. He’s unstable.” He emphasized the need for peaceful but firm resistance: “We have to stand up to this regime. We have no other choice.”
The President responded to De Niro on Truth Social, rehashing a long-standing feud by calling the actor a “demented person” with a “low IQ” whose comments were “seriously criminal.”
Violence in Los Angeles and Dallas
While organizers maintained that the vast majority of the events were peaceful, several cities saw significant friction. In Los Angeles, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) reported that two officers were hospitalized after being struck by cement blocks. DHS officials described a group of roughly 1,000 “rioters” who allegedly attacked the Roybal Federal Building.
The LAPD also confirmed multiple arrests near a federal prison after protesters ignored orders to disperse. Federal agents reportedly utilized non-lethal deterrents to prevent the crowd from breaching security gates.
Meanwhile, in Dallas, Reuters reported scuffles between marchers and counter-protesters, leading to several arrests after the march was briefly blocked.
A Growing Constitutional Crisis
The scale of the “No Kings” movement—which grew from 7 million participants in October to over 8 million this weekend—reflects the deepening polarization in the U.S. since Trump’s January 2025 inauguration.
Critics argue that the president has pushed the boundaries of the Constitution by using executive orders to hollow out federal agencies and deploying the National Guard to cities over the explicit objections of state governors. Furthermore, his calls for the Justice Department to target political rivals have sparked fears of a weaponized legal system.
President Trump has consistently denied these accusations. In a recent Fox News interview, he rejected the “king” label as hyperbole. “I’m not a king,” he stated, arguing that his aggressive use of power is a necessary measure to “rebuild a country in crisis.”
As the protests spread to international hubs like London, Paris, and Lisbon, the “No Kings” movement shows no signs of slowing down, setting the stage for a prolonged domestic struggle over the limits of presidential authority.
