A Global Rejection of “Monarchy”: 8 Million Join “No Kings” Protests Against Trump Administration
In a massive display of global dissent, an estimated 8 million people took to the streets on Saturday for the third and largest iteration of the “No Kings” rallies. From the American heartland to European capitals, demonstrators gathered to denounce the expanding executive power of President Donald Trump, the ongoing conflict with Iran, and a controversial crackdown on immigration.
Organizers reported that over 3,300 separate events took place worldwide, marking a significant escalation from previous rallies in June and October. While the protests were centered in the United States, the movement—rebranded as “No Tyrants” in constitutional monarchies—spread to cities including London, Paris, Rome, and Lisbon.
The Epicenter: St. Paul, Minnesota
The national flagship event was held in St. Paul, Minnesota, a state that has become a flashpoint for the anti-administration movement. The rally served as a somber memorial for Renee Nicole Good and Alex Pretti, two American citizens fatally shot by federal immigration agents in January.
The crowd, estimated at over 200,000, stood in a sea of upside-down American flags—a traditional signal of dire distress. The highlights included a performance by Bruce Springsteen, who debuted his new anthem, “Streets of Minneapolis.”
“Your strength and your commitment told us that this was still America,” Springsteen told the cheering crowd before his set. “This reactionary nightmare, and these invasions of American cities, will not stand.” Springsteen was joined on the bill by a coalition of high-profile figures, including Joan Baez, Jane Fonda, and Senator Bernie Sanders.
A Nationwide Surge
While major hubs like New York City and Washington D.C. saw massive turnouts, organizers highlighted a surprising trend: two-thirds of the participants came from outside major urban centers. Rallies were held in conservative strongholds such as Driggs, Idaho, and across rural Wyoming and South Dakota, suggesting the “No Kings” message is resonating beyond traditional Democratic enclaves.
- In Washington D.C.: Protesters marched past the Lincoln Memorial toward the National Mall, chanting “No Kings” and carrying signs reading “Put down the crown, clown.” Some groups utilized satire to make their point, including a “mock and awe” troupe dressed as giant lice to spoof ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement).
- In New York City: Times Square was paralyzed as thousands marched through Midtown. Actor Robert De Niro, a frequent target of the President’s social media ire, told reporters that the situation was “getting worse and worse every day,” warning that the administration’s trajectory could lead to further military escalation.
- In Los Angeles and Denver: The day was not entirely peaceful. In Los Angeles, federal authorities reportedly used tear gas and non-lethal measures after a group of roughly 1,000 people surrounded a federal building. In Denver, police declared an “unlawful assembly” and made several arrests after protesters allegedly threw smoke canisters back at officers.
The White House Fires Back
The Trump administration remained characteristically defiant. White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson dismissed the massive turnout as “Trump Derangement Therapy Sessions,” claiming the events were orchestrated by “leftist funding networks” rather than organic public concern.
On Truth Social, President Trump continued his personal feud with Robert De Niro, labeling the Oscar-winning actor a “sick and demented person” and suggesting his public comments were “seriously criminal.”
The President has previously defended his use of executive orders to dismantle federal agencies and deploy the National Guard to domestic cities, arguing such measures are necessary to “rebuild a country in crisis.” In a Fox News interview last year, he explicitly rejected the movement’s branding, stating, “They’re referring to me as a king. I’m not a king.”
A Widening Constitutional Rift
The “No Kings” movement is rooted in deep-seated fears regarding the erosion of democratic norms. Since returning to office in January 2025, Trump has moved to prosecute political rivals and expand presidential authority to levels that critics argue are unconstitutional.
As the sun set on Saturday’s rallies, the sheer scale of the 8 million-strong protest suggested that the “No Kings” movement has evolved from a series of sporadic marches into a sustained, global front against the current administration’s vision for the American presidency.