The "No Kings" protest refers to a large series of demonstrations that took place on June 14, 2025, primarily in the United States, but also internationally. These protests were organized to oppose the policies and actions of then-President Donald Trump during his second term. The movement criticized Trump's perceived authoritarian tendencies, often describing him metaphorically as a "king" and rejecting what they saw as undemocratic behavior and the militarization of U.S. democracy. Key points about the No Kings protests:
- The protests occurred on June 14, 2025, which was also Trump's 79th birthday and coincided with the 250th Anniversary Parade of the U.S. Army held in Washington, D.C.
- The protests were organized by a coalition of over 200 groups, including Indivisible, American Civil Liberties Union, and others.
- More than five million people participated in over 2,100 cities and towns, making it one of the largest single-day protests in U.S. history.
- Demonstrators marched and held rallies across all 50 states and U.S. territories, with a flagship event in Philadelphia, as no protests were held in Washington, D.C., itself.
- The movement's message was a rejection of authoritarianism, billionaire-focused politics, and the glorification of Trump as a monarch-like figure.
- International protests also occurred, particularly in countries with constitutional monarchies, where the events were called "No Tyrants" or "No Dictators" protests to avoid confusion with anti-monarchic sentiments.
- The protests were largely nonviolent and aimed to affirm democratic values and people-powered governance.
Overall, the No Kings protests represented a broad and widespread civic response against what participants viewed as a threat to democratic norms and institutions under Trump's second presidency.
