Nationwide Protests: Americans Rally Against Trump Policies
As political tensions rise, a wave of protests is sweeping across the United States. Organizers of the “No Kings” demonstrations predict participation from millions of Americans opposing the Trump administration’s policies. This movement coincides with ongoing ICE actions and the deployment of National Guard troops to several Democratic-controlled cities. Learn more about National Guard deployments.
Lisa Gilbert, co-president of Public Citizen, a consumer advocacy group involved in organizing the protests, said, “The purpose here is to stand in solidarity, to organize, to defend our democracy and protect each other and our communities, and just say enough is enough.” She highlighted the protest as a response to perceived abuses of power by the administration.
The protests have been met with criticism from some Republican figures. House Speaker Mike Johnson labeled the demonstrations as a “hate America rally.”
Earlier this year, large protests occurred during the Army’s 250th anniversary, which was celebrated alongside President Trump’s birthday with a military parade. Critics argued that the parade was more about honoring the President than the military. The current protests address issues such as the treatment of suspected undocumented immigrants, a failing health care system, and alleged attempts to influence elections.
The No Kings website states: “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.” Read more about the movement.
White House Dismisses Protests
When questioned about the demonstrations and claims that Trump was acting like a king, White House spokeswoman Abigail Jackson replied, “Who cares?” and offered no further comment.
In June, organizers reported that 5 million people participated in No Kings protests across the nation at over 2,000 events. They anticipate an even larger turnout in the upcoming demonstrations.
Social Movements and Their Impact
Liz McKenna, a Harvard sociologist and Assistant Professor of Public Policy, noted that historically, large-scale movements have been effective in driving social change, though their success has diminished in recent decades. “We are not even a year into the Trump administration, and so I think the strategy on the part of the organizers is to show that ‘we’re not backing down,'” McKenna said.
However, she also pointed out that many recent mass protests, including the Black Lives Matter movement and the Women’s March, have not always resulted in significant or lasting changes despite their visibility and scale. Read more about the Women’s March.
Demonstrators take part in a protest against the Trump administration during the “No Kings” national rally in downtown Los Angeles on June 14, 2025, on the same day as President Trump’s military parade in Washington, D.C. Ringo Chiu/AFP via Getty Images
