Crowds hit the streets Saturday in cities and cities throughout the nation to vent their anger over President Trump’s insurance policies in “No Kings” protests, which Republicans have slammed as “Hate America” rallies.
Greater than 2,700 demonstrations have been deliberate coast to coast, with at the very least one in each state and even close to Mr. Trump’s Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida, the place he’s spending the weekend. Organizers stated Saturday evening that just about seven million individuals attended the occasions.
The nationwide rally drew two million extra individuals than related occasions June 14, which was Mr. Trump’s birthday and the day of a large navy parade within the U.S. capital, the No Kings Coalition stated in a information launch.
“The thousands and thousands of individuals protesting are centered round a fierce love for our nation. A rustic that we imagine is value preventing for,” stated Katie Bethell, the chief director of MoveOn, an advocacy group that is a part of the bigger coalition.
Protestors stated they have been outraged over the Trump administration’s crackdown on undocumented migrants and its deployment of Nationwide Guard troops to Los Angeles.
Since then, Mr. Trump — who returned to the White Home in January — has ordered Nationwide Guard troops into Washington, D.C. and Memphis. Deliberate deployments to Chicago and Portland, Oregon have thus far been blocked within the courts.
Folks take part in a “No Kings” nationwide day of protest in New York on Oct. 18, 2025.
TIMOTHY A.CLARY/AFP through Getty Pictures
Demonstrators are additionally upset over Mr. Trump’s assaults on the media, prosecutions of his political opponents and a bunch of different actions they see as authoritarian.
On its web site, “No Kings” organizers say, “The president thinks his rule is absolute. However in America, we do not have kings and we cannot again down in opposition to chaos, corruption, and cruelty.”
“This president is a shame and I hope there shall be thousands and thousands on the street at this time,” Stephanie, a 36-year-old hospital employee who didn’t give her final identify, instructed AFP within the Queens borough of New York, the place a whole lot had already gathered within the morning.
An individual wearing a Statue of Liberty costume participates in a “No Kings” nationwide day of protest in New York on Oct. 18, 2025.
TIMOTHY A.CLARY/AFP through Getty Pictures
In Los Angeles, organizers stated they anticipate 100,000 individuals to attend. Past New York and San Francisco, protests are scheduled in main cities resembling Washington, Boston, Chicago, Atlanta and New Orleans, but in addition in small cities throughout all 50 states.
In Chicago’s Grant Park, Democratic Congresswoman Delia Ramirez led the group in a chant, “Once I say individuals, you say energy!”
“Could that highly effective voice be heard from right here to Washington, D.C., and each nook of this nation,” Ramirez stated, CBS Chicago reported. “I’m the proud daughter of Guatemalan immigrants, and I’ll by no means be ashamed of my roots.”
Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker joined the demonstration.
Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker joins the demonstrators in the course of the second “No Kings” protest on Oct. 18, 2025, in Chicago, Illinois.
Joe Raedle / Getty Pictures
In Miami, one demonstrator instructed CBS Miami that she confirmed as much as give voice to those that really feel probably the most marginalized within the nation.
“I am most apprehensive about individuals who aren’t doing nicely on this nation, people who find themselves being marginalized,” stated Roxanne Featherly. “The hate [and] I suppose you’ll be able to say the bipolarism that we’ve got.”
Greater than 1,500 individuals gathered in Birmingham, Alabama, evoking and brazenly citing the town’s historical past of protests and the crucial function it performed within the U.S. Civil Rights Motion two generations in the past, the Related Press reported.
“It simply appears like we’re dwelling in an America that I do not acknowledge,” Jessica Yother, a mom of 4, instructed the AP. “It was so encouraging. I walked in and thought, ‘Listed here are my individuals.'”
Exterior of the U.S., crowds gathered exterior U.S. embassies in Berlin, Rome, Paris and Sweden in solidarity with the protesters within the U.S. Pictures present them holding indicators denouncing fascism and dictatorships.
Democrats Overseas, the worldwide arm of the American Democratic Social gathering, protest with indicators in opposition to President Trump’s insurance policies throughout a “No Kings” protest in opposition to the U.S. President at Piazza Santi Apostoli, on Oct. 18, 2025, in Rome, Italy.
Simona Granati – Corbis/Corbis through Getty Pictures
A crowd of primarily American anti-Trump protesters holds indicators exterior the US Embassy in London throughout a “No Kings” protest in opposition to President Trump on Oct. 18, 2025, in London, England.
Man Smallman / Getty Pictures
Thus far, the president’s response to the occasions has been muted.
“They’re saying they’re referring to me as a king. I am not a king,” he instructed Fox Information present “Sunday Morning Futures,” in an interview that may air on Sunday.
However prime surrogates, like Home Speaker Mike Johnson, dismissed the occasion. Johnson known as it the “Hate America Rally.”
“You are going to carry collectively the Marxists, the Socialists, the Antifa advocates, the anarchists and the pro-Hamas wing of the far-left Democrat Social gathering,” he instructed reporters.
Republican lawmaker Tom Emmer additionally used the “Hate America” phrase and referred to contributors because the “terrorist wing” of the Democratic Social gathering. Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin activated the Nationwide Guard and introduced a “considerably elevated police presence” forward of the deliberate occasions. He stated that protestors have the precise to free speech however that “doesn’t embrace the destruction of property, looting, vandalism, disruption of visitors, or violence of any variety—for which there shall be zero tolerance.” Texas Gov. Greg Abbott additionally stated the Nationwide Guard and public security staff shall be surged to Austin to deal with anticipated protests.
Prime Democratic Senator Chuck Schumer inspired demonstrators to let their voices be heard.
“I say to my fellow People this No Kings Day: Don’t let Donald Trump and Republicans intimidate you into silence. That is what they need to do. They’re afraid of the reality,” he wrote on X. “Converse out, use your voice, and train your proper to free speech.”