Is America Heading Toward Authoritarianism? Millions March In No Kings Protests Against Trump.
Since Trump retook office in 2025, over 10,700 protests erupted across the US — a 133% surge from 4,588 in 2017. Even 42% of Trump-voting counties saw at least one protest.
In June 2025, the first No Kings protests erupted at 2,100 sites nationwide — as Trump held a military parade in Washington DC on his 79th birthday. Several million people turned out against his administration.
Data journalist G Elliott Morris estimated June turnout between 4 million and 6 million — roughly 1.2% to 1.8% of the US population — potentially exceeding the 2017 Women’s March record of 3.3 to 5.6 million.
In October 2025, the second No Kings protests swept all 50 states. At NIH in Bethesda, about 1,000 people protested Trump’s cuts to scientific research. Inflatable frogs became a nationwide symbol of resistance.
Before the third march, Trump deployed National Guard and Marines to Los Angeles against deportation protesters — a military show of force unseen since the civil rights era, fueling even more nationwide momentum.
The third No Kings march launched over 3,000 events. Americans abroad rallied in France, Germany, Italy and Greece. The flagship event in Minnesota’s Twin Cities aimed to be the biggest protest in American history.
