Millions March Nationwide for No Kings Day Against Trump Administration

Demonstrations erupted across the United States on Saturday, October 18, 2025, as millions participated in the second annual No Kings Day. Organized to protest President Donald Trump’s administration and its controversial policies, the event saw participants filling streets, parks, and town squares from major cities like New York and Chicago to smaller communities such as Greensburg, Pennsylvania, and Bismarck, North Dakota. Event organizers reported over 2,600 nonviolent demonstrations throughout the country.

The inaugural No Kings Day coincided with Trump’s military parade on his 79th birthday in June. Protesters voiced their opposition to a range of policies, including the deployment of National Guard troops in urban areas and stringent immigration enforcement in cities like Los Angeles and Chicago. Rallygoers criticized what they viewed as governmental overreach and the erosion of democratic norms.

In Washington, D.C., veteran Ben Grimes, 52, stood among tens of thousands on Pennsylvania Avenue, holding a sign that read “I Served America Not Autocracy.” Grimes, who has two decades of military experience, expressed deep concern over the perceived drift towards autocracy in the United States. “We’re sliding very rapidly into autocracy and lawlessness,” he stated, highlighting his apprehension regarding the deployment of military troops domestically and extrajudicial actions abroad.

Among the many demonstrators were Kenneth and Peggy Greco, aged 72 and 69, who traveled from Augusta, Georgia. Dressed in clown costumes, they carried a sign that proclaimed, “Elect a Clown Expect a Circus.” Peggy Greco shared her emotional response to the political climate, saying, “We feel very powerless about what’s going on, and we have to do something.”

In other cities, similar sentiments were echoed. In Lexington, Kentucky, protester Garcia O’Brien, 71, expressed fears for democracy, stating, “I’ve never been scared for our democracy. I am now.” Meanwhile, in Fargo, North Dakota, Ken Opheim wore a red hat with a message that read, “Quid Pro Quo Trump Must Go,” criticizing the perceived self-serving nature of Trump’s policies.

High-profile speakers joined the rallies, including Democratic Senator Raphael Warnock in Atlanta and actor John Cusack in Chicago. In D.C., Senator Chris Murphy addressed the crowd, asserting, “He has not won yet; the people still rule in this country,” referring to Trump’s contentious governance style.

The protests unfolded amid a government shutdown, during which Trump has faced scrutiny for various actions since he began his second presidential term on January 20, 2025. On October 10, he initiated a controversial mass firing of federal employees, a move criticized by lawmakers and observers alike. Amid the shutdown, he also authorized a $20 billion bailout for Argentina, drawing further ire from his critics.

Trump has threatened to leverage the shutdown to cut funding for programs that do not align with Republican values. Even within his party, dissent has emerged, with GOP Senator Susan Collins calling for accountability regarding the administration’s handling of funds appropriated by Congress.

Additionally, the administration’s recent actions, including the invocation of the Alien Enemies Act to detain immigrants, have raised alarm among human rights advocates. The case of Kilmar Arego Garcia, a mistakenly deported individual, has become emblematic of the administration’s controversial immigration policies.

Nearly 300 partner organizations, including the ACLU, Common Cause, and the SEIU, endorsed the No Kings Day demonstrations, reflecting a broad coalition of activists and advocates united against perceived threats to democracy.

While Trump spent the weekend at his Florida residence, the rhetoric from his administration characterized the protests as anti-American, with House Speaker Mike Johnson labeling the event a “hate America rally.” Trump previously designated “antifa” as a “domestic terrorist organization,” despite its nonexistence as an organized group.

The No Kings Day protests mark a significant moment in the ongoing national discourse surrounding Trump’s presidency and its implications for American democracy. As citizens continue to voice their concerns, the future of the political landscape remains at a pivotal juncture.