Wed Oct 22 01:20:00 UTC 2025: ## “No Kings” Protests Sweep the Nation, Denouncing Trump’s “Monarchical” Actions
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Massive protests erupted across the United States on Saturday, October 18, 2025, as part of the “No Kings” movement, a nationwide demonstration against what organizers say are increasingly authoritarian policies under the Trump administration. From Washington, D.C. to San Francisco, protesters rallied, accusing President Trump of acting more like a monarch than an elected official.
Organized by a network of progressive groups known as No Kings, the protests aimed to surpass the estimated 5 million participants in their previous demonstration in June. Organizers reported approximately 2,600 events planned across nearly every state.
The protests were fueled by a diverse range of concerns, including the administration’s immigration policies, aggressive cuts to federal education and environmental resources, and allegations of gerrymandering. Many protesters highlighted the actions of masked ICE agents and the push for federal intervention in Democratic-led states as examples of government overreach.
“We made a pledge of allegiance when we were in school and this is what it’s all about,” said Uriah Kitchen, who attended the D.C. protest with his son. “We’re here to protect America.”
In Washington, D.C., Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) addressed the crowd, criticizing tech billionaires who he claimed have grown even richer and more powerful under the Trump administration. He specifically called out Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos, and Mark Zuckerberg.
On the West Coast, Maria Floriano in San Pablo, California, attended the protest with immigration on her mind. “We want them to know that there are people fighting for them, that not everyone feels that they’re not welcome here,” she said.
The protests also drew criticism. House Speaker Mike Johnson labeled them as a “hate America rally,” while other Republicans deemed them anti-American. White House spokeswoman Abigail Jackson dismissed the protests, saying “Who cares?”
Despite the criticism, the protests also featured displays of optimism and whimsy, with protesters in several cities donning inflatable animal costumes and engaging in song and dance. In Macon, Georgia, protesters sang “The Story of Tonight” from the musical Hamilton.
While Republican Governors Glenn Youngkin of Virginia and Greg Abbott of Texas mobilized their states’ National Guards in preparation, the protests were largely peaceful. Police in New York City and Washington, D.C. reported no protest-related arrests. In Austin, Texas, the police department confirmed that Saturday’s rally was peaceful and there were no arrests.
Connecticut House Republican Leader Vincent Candelora, while supporting the protesters’ right to free speech, considered the “No Kings” messaging divisive, maintaining that “our democracy is still strong as ever.”
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