Americans in all 50 states marched on Saturday in demonstrations against the Trump administration, uniting under the banner that the nation is sliding toward authoritarianism, and that “there should be no kings in the US.”
Millions joined the “No Kings” protests, marking the movement’s second major mobilization since June, when organizers held one of the largest coordinated protest days in US history.
Across the country, people gathered in large cities and small towns with signs, marching bands, and a massive banner bearing the preamble to the US Constitution for attendees to sign. Inflatable frog costumes, a whimsical symbol of resistance originating in Portland, Oregon, were once again a common sight.
The protests represented a sharp contrast from six months ago, when Democrats appeared directionless following significant electoral losses and Republican control of both Congress and the White House.
“What we are seeing from the Democrats is some spine,” said Ezra Levin, co-founder of Indivisible, one of the leading organizing groups. “The worst thing the Democrats could do right now is surrender.”
In Chicago, at least 10,000 protesters filled Grant Park’s Butler Field, carrying signs that mocked Trump and criticized federal immigration agents. Broadcasters warned viewers they could not be responsible for the explicit language displayed on placards.
Later estimates by the Chicago Tribune placed the crowd at around 100,000.
Many signs read “Hands Off Chicago,” a slogan first used when Trump threatened to deploy the National Guard to the city. Others displayed “Resist Fascism,” while some featured messages too strong for television.
The crowd erupted into chants of “Fuck Donald Trump” when Illinois Representative Jonathan Jackson took the stage.
Mayor Brandon Johnson told demonstrators that the Trump administration had “decided that they want a rematch of the civil war,” referring to the Confederacy’s defeat by the Union.
“We are here to stand firm and stand committed that we will not bend, we will not bow, we will not cower, we will not submit,” he said. “We do not want troops in our city.”
In Los Angeles, 72-year-old Ginny Eschbach attended her 42nd protest since Trump’s inauguration, arriving at the rally dressed as SpongeBob SquarePants after being unable to find an inflatable frog costume.
“I wanted to be whimsical, because I think that lets them know, when we’re here, we’re serious, however, we are not dangerous and we are not violent,” she said. “We are just not happy.”
Eschbach, who drove from Thousand Oaks waving an American flag, said she has become increasingly alarmed by the administration’s attacks on free speech.
“I personally am not happy with the erosion of our first amendment rights,” she said. “This is my gravest concern, as they attack universities, the media, law firms and now our very own freedom of speech and threaten our ability to peacefully assemble.”
In Washington, D.C., more than 200,000 people rallied near the US Capitol. Across many cities, inflatable animal costumes, a Dada-inspired protest theme from Portland’s immigration marches, were used to parody the administration’s portrayal of chaos in liberal cities.
In Portland itself, the main march remained peaceful, with police closing roads and bridges for demonstrators. But a smaller protest outside an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility in the city’s South Waterfront was met with tear gas and federal officers.
Suzette Smith of the Portland Mercury wrote on Bluesky that agents “hurled gas canisters at protesters who gathered at the facility before a scheduled 5 p.m. protest.”
In Santa Fe, costumed protesters included unicorns, chickens, and frogs. “It’s about the absurdity of it all,” said Amy Adler, who attended in a lobster costume “as an ode to Portland.”
On FoxLive, national security analyst Lt. Col. Hal Kempfer questioned whether the costumes might serve a practical purpose.
“I don’t discount that they are just showing off the costumes but any costume like that could provide a certain amount of defensive protection from pepper balls and stuff. But you have to weigh against that you can’t move very fast and you can’t see as well,” he said.
Southern Voices Join the Movement
In Atlanta, roughly 10,000 demonstrators filled the field of the Atlanta Civic Center before marching toward the state capitol.
“I heard an American president stand up the other day and say to generals in our military that we’ve got to stand up against the enemy within,” said Senator Raphael Warnock of Georgia.
“I don’t care what your politics are. If you are an American citizen, you should be deeply concerned,” Warnock added, condemning the deployment of federal law enforcement “showing up in communities all across our country.”
“What the hell is happening? And all of us have to be concerned.”
Trump has escalated federal actions in several cities, attempting to send troops and expand immigration enforcement while pursuing criminal charges against left-leaning organizations he accuses of aiding terrorism or political violence.
Municipal governments have fought back in court to block federal intervention, and citizens have continued to march, framing their actions as a defense of democracy and civil liberties.
Meanwhile, Trump allies have portrayed the “No Kings” protests as anti-American and linked to antifa, blaming demonstrators for prolonging the government shutdown.
In Texas, Governor Greg Abbott announced he would deploy the state’s National Guard to Austin ahead of the rallies.
