Nathan Howard/Getty Images

From coast to coast, America felt the ripples of political unrest this Saturday in the wake of one of the most controversial presidencies in American history

From the salt-tinged tendrils of the California Pacific to the red clay roads of the South, through the rolling plains of the Midwest, and echoing across the rocky coasts of the Northeast, one chant in American politics carried itself across all 50 states of America this Saturday, Oct. 18: 

“No Kings.” 

The last time a presidential candidate was openly labeled a king was nearly 200 years ago, when former President Andrew Jackson faced similar accusations. Jackson’s tenure was profoundly shaped by a slew of decisions that would make him one of the most infamous American presidents to date: he orchestrated the forced removal of Indigenous populations, resulting in millions of deaths along the Trail of Tears, abolished the national bank by consolidating executive power in his hands, and actively supported and took part in slavery. 

Now, in 2025, the “No Kings” rally brings these continuities back up again.

With protests against unchecked authoritarianism and political overreach committed by the Trump Administration occurring all over the country, the term “No Kings” serves as the motto of what very well may be the largest demonstration of condemnation against President Donald Trump throughout both of his terms thus far. The slogan itself argues that, throughout his presidency, President Trump has behaved in the way a monarch or a dictator would, rather than a democratically elected official. Organized by various activist groups, labor unions, and anti-authoritarian coalitions both locally and federally, Saturday’s nationwide event carries on the efforts of the first string of “No Kings” protests in June, with participants reportedly doubling in size since then.

With millions of Americans flooding the streets, signs in hand, the impetus for this mass mobilization stems from a series of controversial actions and policies enacted by President Trump and his cabinet since his inauguration in January. Among the primary grievances expressed were his administration’s aggressive immigration crackdowns, the intensification of ICE raids, and his treatment of foreign nationals—or, as seen through certain deportation cases, anyone deemed foreign, citizenship aside. Many demonstrators also invoked the president’s personal controversies, citing longstanding allegations of sexual misconduct, his association with convicted child sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, and a history of misogynistic, degrading remarks.  

Others, including American educator and science communicator Bill Nye, denounced Trump’s rejection of established science—such as his recent assertion that Tylenol use during pregnancy causes autism and significant budget cuts in areas of medical and scientific research—stating in a passionate speech, “For decades, the U.S. has been one of the world’s leading nations in science, but this administration has failed to accept scientific facts or promote progress. Instead, they’ve suppressed science to the detriment of our health, well-being, and international competitiveness.” This dissension also comes almost directly after the recent government shutdown on Oct. 1, in which Congress failed to pass adequate funding for certain government agencies. 

While this outcry is not explicitly unexpected—public dissent against Trump has been a recurring feature of his presidency—what is more notable is the number of former Trump-supporting loyalists who are now expressing distaste with his actions as president. In fact, President Trump has received an unprecedented amount of criticism from members of his first administration, including his former vice president, attorney general, secretary of defense, and former White House chief of staff, all of whom cited either Trump’s damage to democratic institutions or differences in moral and political beliefs as reasons for their political split during his 2024 election. Other popular Republican figures, such as political commentator Candace Owens, have expressed their discontent with Trump’s conduct, with Owens stating she is “embarrassed” of campaigning for him in 2024 and calling Trump “a chronic disappointment.” 

This growing anti-Trump sentiment on the right is reflected in a recent Reuters/Ipsos poll, which measured American voters’ preferences if the 2024 presidential election were held today. The survey found that 45% of respondents would vote for the Democratic nominee, Kamala Harris, while 41% indicated support for Trump; the remaining participants were either undecided or indicated they would not vote. These results suggest that Trump’s recent actions and controversies may be eroding support even among segments of his traditional base, with these findings mirroring the themes of Saturday’s protests, highlighting a growing coalition of voters—across party lines—expressing disapproval of perceived dictatorial behavior and demanding accountability from the nation’s leadership.

In response to the recent backlash, Trump escalated the rhetoric by posting an AI-generated video to his Truth Social account depicting a cartoon version of himself in a fighter jet dropping fecal matter onto a crowd of protesters. The animated Trump is shown wearing a crown, with the words “King Trump” emblazoned on the side of the jet. Posted Saturday evening, the video only continues to underscore the administration’s dismissive stance toward such peaceful demonstrations, with no apparent indication that the protests will influence Trump’s policies or approach in any way going forward. 

That being said, the purpose of these protests extends far beyond the partisan disagreement or headline-grabbing spectacle that some may assume is the forefront objective. At its core, the “No Kings” movement represents a collective assertion by Americans that democratic norms, accountability, and the rule of law are not optional—they are foundational to the nation. In the midst of a political climate in which arguments often seem concretely Red versus Blue, it is inherent that Americans remember that the USA was not founded as a breeding ground for internal conflict; instead, as it was decreed 250 years ago by the founding fathers of our nation, “We the People” means all people—not just those of certain races, religions, or political beliefs. 

While the protests have been fueled by specific grievances, from policy decisions to personal controversies, their broader intent is to remind elected officials that authority is granted by the people and must be exercised with transparency, integrity, and respect. Through these protests—which are likely bound to continue until something changes—it is assured that the principles of the American Constitution remain longstanding and reaffirmed: the people are the arbiters of power, freedom, and democracy—not a king.