Topline
“No Kings” protests kicked off Saturday afternoon, with thousands of rallies planned across the country in opposition to President Donald Trump’s policies that organizers have described as an “authoritarian power grab.”
People participate in a “No Kings” national day of protest in New York City on Saturday. (Photo by TIMOTHY A.CLARY/AFP via Getty Images)
AFP via Getty ImagesKey Facts
Demonstrators said more than 2,500 rallies were planned in all 50 states Saturday, with other protests taking place in cities across the globe, including Madrid, Berlin and Malmo, Sweden.
Several Democratic lawmakers are expected to attend rallies in their home states, including Rep. Pete Aguilar, D-Calif., and Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt.
Saturday’s protests follow demonstrations on June 14, Trump’s 79th birthday and the same day as a U.S. military parade in Washington, D.C., to mark the 250th anniversary of the Army.
Some Republicans have called the protests “Hate America” rallies, while House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., has accused Democrats of prolonging the government shutdown to avoid angering their base before the rally, alleging “Antifa” and the “pro-Hamas wing” of the Democratic party is behind them.
A “No Kings” protest in Washington, D.C. (Photo by AMID FARAHI/AFP via Getty Images)
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A man carrying a sign that reads “Party Like it’s 1939” with an image of President Donald Trump at the “bean” Cloud Gate ahead of the second “No Kings” protest in Chicago. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
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A “No Kings” protest in New York City. (Photo by TIMOTHY A.CLARY/AFP via Getty Images)
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A “No Kings” protest in Manhattan. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)
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A “No Kings” protest in Howell, Michigan. (Photo by JEFF KOWALSKY/AFP via Getty Images)
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A “No Kings” protest in Chicago. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)
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A “No Kings” protest in West Palm Beach, Florida. (Photo by CHANDAN KHANNA/AFP via Getty Images)
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A “No Kings” protest in Lisbon, Portugal. (Photo by Horacio Villalobos#Corbis/Getty Images)
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A “No Kings” protest in West Palm Beach, Florida. (Photo by CHANDAN KHANNA/AFP via Getty Images)
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A “No Kings” protest in Manhattan. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)
Getty ImagesCrucial Quote
“They’re referring to me as a king. I’m not a king,” Trump told Fox Business in a clip of an interview aired Friday ahead of its full release Sunday.
Key Background
The rallies are organized by a coalition of Democratic organizations, including the American Civil Liberties Union, Planned Parenthood and Indivisible, a nonprofit founded to contest Trump. “The president thinks his rule is absolute. But in America, we don’t have kings and we won’t back down against chaos, corruption, and cruelty,” the No Kings coalition says on its website, citing Trump’s immigration crackdown, cuts to healthcare and environmental protections, among other policies.
Further Reading
‘No Kings’ protests live updates: Rallies expected in NYC, D.C., Chicago and other U.S.. Cities (NBC)
Johnson describes planned No Kings rally as ‘hate America,’ ‘pro-Hamas’ gathering (Politico)