Nationwide protests Signal Growing Opposition to Trump
WASHINGTON (AP) – Demonstrations dubbed “No Kings” took place across the nation this weekend, signaling a resurgence in organized opposition to former President Donald Trump and his political agenda.the protests, organized by a coalition of progressive groups, drew participants to over 2,100 registered locations in June, building on momentum from a national march in April that saw 1,300 registered locations.
The demonstrations reflect a broader shift within the Democratic Party, which has sought to regain its footing in challenging Trump’s influence following his return to the political arena. The protests are occurring against the backdrop of a looming goverment shutdown, as Democrats refuse to vote on Republican-led legislation to reopen the government without funding for healthcare initiatives. This standoff is viewed by many Democrats as a critical opportunity to push back against what they perceive as an overreach of executive power.
Former presidential contender Bernie Sanders characterized the protests as “a love America rally,” stating in a Facebook post, “It’s a rally of millions of people all over this country who believe in our Constitution, who believe in American freedom and…are not going to let you and Donald Trump turn this country into an authoritarian society.”
House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., dismissed the protests, suggesting they would be populated by “antifa types,” people who “hate capitalism” and “Marxists in full display.” House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries countered, stating, ”What’s hateful is what happened on January 6th,” referencing the 2021 Capitol attack. “What you’ll see this weekend is what patriotism looks like.”
The growing demonstrations come after a period of internal division within the Democratic Party, with some members criticizing Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer for allowing an earlier government funding bill to pass without leveraging it to challenge Trump. Political analyst Marc Levin noted, “What we are seeing from the Democrats is some spine. the worst thing the Democrats could do right now is surrender.”
The protests represent a notable escalation in organized resistance to Trump, and underscore the deep political divisions continuing to shape the American landscape.
