LDN. Nationwide “No Kings” Demonstrations Sweep Across U.S. as Protesters Push Back Against Trump’s Power Remarks. LDN
WASHINGTON — October 20, 2025.
From the steps of the U.S. Capitol to the streets of Los Angeles, demonstrators poured into public squares across the country Sunday in what organizers called the “No Kings” movement — a coordinated wave of rallies denouncing what they describe as creeping authoritarianism under former President Donald Trump’s administration.
The protests erupted after Trump, speaking to reporters last week, defended a series of executive actions by saying, “I’m not a king — but we’re getting things done.” Critics argue the remark reflected an increasingly unchecked approach to power.
Across the nation, thousands responded with signs reading “No Kings, Just the Constitution” and “Democracy, Not Dynasty.” Demonstrations took place in more than 150 cities and towns, from the National Mall in Washington to courthouse steps in Billings, Montana, and state capitols in Florida, Texas, and Arizona.
A Day of Marches and Messages
In Washington, D.C., protesters filled Pennsylvania Avenue, waving American flags and chanting, “Power to the people — not one man.”
The march ended near the Lincoln Memorial, where activists read passages from the Constitution and Federalist Papers, symbolically reaffirming the nation’s founding ideals.
“This isn’t about left or right — it’s about balance,” said Emily Rivera, a history teacher from Virginia who attended with her students. “Presidents serve the people, not rule them. We can’t forget that.”
In downtown Los Angeles, crowds stretched for blocks, with musicians performing protest anthems and faith leaders offering prayers for unity. Environmental groups, veterans, and civil rights organizations joined together under banners calling for accountability and restraint in government power.
According to local police departments, the demonstrations were largely peaceful, though brief tensions flared outside several statehouses when counterprotesters arrived carrying “America First” flags. No major incidents or arrests were reported.
A Growing Political Flashpoint
The rallies come at a volatile time in American politics. Trump, who has frequently criticized the judicial system and vowed to “restructure” federal agencies, remains a dominant figure within the Republican Party.
His comments about executive authority — particularly the suggestion that a president could act “without interference” — have alarmed watchdog groups and constitutional scholars.
“When a leader starts downplaying checks and balances, that’s when civic participation becomes essential,” said Dr. Harold Stein, a political science professor at Georgetown University. “The ‘No Kings’ rallies are a reminder that democracy depends on vigilance.”
Republican officials, meanwhile, dismissed the demonstrations as partisan theater.
In a statement Sunday, a spokesperson for the Republican National Committee said, “The American people elected President Trump to act boldly. These protests are a distraction from the real issues facing our country — the economy, the border, and national security.”
Symbolism and Spirit
Organizers of the “No Kings” movement emphasized that their goal was not merely opposition but awareness.
Many participants dressed in colonial-style attire or carried cardboard crowns with red slashes through them — visual metaphors for rejecting authoritarian rule.
In Billings, Montana, dozens gathered outside the county courthouse, reading from the Declaration of Independence as a local choir sang “America the Beautiful.”
In Austin, Texas, protesters staged a “teach-in” on the Capitol lawn, holding workshops on the limits of executive power and the role of civic engagement.
“Our Founders fought a revolution to get rid of kings,” said activist Marcus Bell, addressing the crowd in Austin. “If we start tolerating leaders who talk like monarchs, we forget what America stands for.”
The Road Ahead
By nightfall, candlelight vigils illuminated parks in Philadelphia, Chicago, and Seattle, with participants sharing messages of hope and constitutional solidarity. Social media hashtags #NoKingsMarch and #PowerToThePeople trended nationally throughout the day, garnering millions of interactions.
Analysts say the movement’s long-term impact will depend on whether it translates into voter turnout and civic participation ahead of the next election cycle.
Still, the scale and coordination of Sunday’s events suggest a renewed appetite for public dialogue about the balance of power in American democracy.
“No matter who’s in office,” said Rivera, the Virginia teacher, “we have to keep showing up. Freedom isn’t inherited — it’s maintained.”
As the chants faded and flags lowered, one message lingered across city squares and social feeds alike:
“America doesn’t need a king — it needs citizens who care.”
