People demonstrate in Washington, DC, as part of the “No Kings” rallies, October 18, 2025.
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Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images for No Kings
One of the largest days of protests against the Trump administration’s policies took place in cities across the United States on Saturday. The dominant theme of the marches was the accusation that President Trump behaves more like a monarch than an elected official.
It was the second massive wave of protests organized by No Kings – a network of progressive organizations fighting against Trump’s agenda.
Organizers said about 2,600 No Kings events were planned in almost every state and that they anticipated a larger turnout than the 5 million people they said participated in the previous nationwide action in June.
This aerial photo shows protesters forming a human banner during the national “No Kings” day of protest at Ocean Beach in San Francisco, California, October 18, 2025.
Laure Andrillon/AFP via Getty Images
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Energized by a series of actions taken by the administration since summer protests, the group cited widespread immigration detentions by often masked Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents, the administration’s aggressive reduction of federal education and environmental resources, gerrymandering and other concerns.
Here is a summary of how the events took place.
1. United in protests to “protect America”
Protesters showed up to oppose a wide range of issues, including the government’s immigration tactics and its push for federal and military intervention in Democratic-run states as a way to combat crime. The diversity of concerns related to the broader message of democracy, constitutional rights, and freedom on which the United States was founded.
In Washington, D.C., protesters filled Pennsylvania Avenue near the U.S. Capitol, many holding signs reading “No kings, no tyrants.” Many people wore yellow, a color organizers said to show unity.
Large crowds gathered in downtown Washington, D.C., on Saturday for the “No Kings” rally.
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Tyrone Turner/UMOA
Uriah Kitchen of Delaware, who attended the protest with his son Elijah, told NPR “we took the pledge of allegiance when we were in school and that’s what it’s all about.”
“That’s why we’re here, we’re here to protect America,” Kitchen said.
Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont, an independent who is caucusing with Democrats, addressed protesters in Washington DC in remarks criticizing tech billionaires who he said have become richer and more powerful since Trump became president. Sanders singled out Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos, Mark Zuckerberg “and the other multi-billionaires who sat right behind Trump at his inauguration.”
On the West Coast in San Pablo, California, Maria Floriano attended a No Kings event with immigration on her mind. Wearing a hat and shirt decorated with butterflies, she compared immigration to butterflies and said “migration is beautiful” and “an act of courage.”
Protesters gather during the national “No Kings” day of protest in Kansas City, Missouri, October 18, 2025.
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“We want them to know that there are people fighting for them, that not everyone feels welcome here,” Floriano said, noting that the protest took place in a Bay Area community with a large immigrant population.
2. The Trump administration and Republican lawmakers have spoken out
House Speaker Mike Johnson called Saturday’s protests a “hate rally for America,” while other Republicans called the event anti-American.
Responding to NPR’s questions about the protests, White House spokeswoman Abigail Jackson said, “Who cares?
Trump was not at the White House during the protests but visiting his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida.
Connecticut House Republican Leader Vincent Candelora told the Connecticut Public that he considered the “No Kings” message of the protests “divisive.” He also does not share the protesters’ concerns but supports their right to exercise their First Amendment rights.
“I think our democracy is still as strong as ever — but, you know, they’re free to express themselves,” Candelora said.
3. Peaceful protest with singing and dancing
Despite the many criticisms that anti-Trump protesters came to preach, demonstrations of optimism, hope and fantasy took place in several cities.
Protesters wear inflatable costumes for the “No Kings” protest in Memphis, Tennessee on October 18, 2025.
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Inspired by protesters in Portland, Oregon, residents of Los Angeles, Hartford, Connecticut and beyond showed up to march dressed in inflatable animal costumes. Singing and dancing broke out in Salt Lake City and other cities.
As with previous mass No Kings protests, revolutionary messages appeared in demonstrators’ clothing, chants and signs, as demonstrators sought to remind people that America was founded in opposition to the monarchy.
In Macon, Georgia, protesters sang “The Story of Tonight” from the musical Hamilton — a song about the importance of sacrifice and solidarity today for the freedom of tomorrow.
People participate in a national “No Kings” day of protest in West Palm Beach, Florida, October 18, 2025.
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The protests have been largely peaceful. Police in New York and Washington, D.C., where the rallies drew some of the largest crowds of the day, said no arrests related to the protests had been made.
Republican governors. Glenn Youngkin of Virginia and Greg Abbott of Texas mobilized their states’ National Guards in preparation for the protests.
“The Governor has authorized state active duty for training to ensure the Guard will be ready to respond if necessary to keep people safe,” Youngkin spokesperson Peter Finocchio wrote in a statement to VPM.
The Texas Newsroom reported that Abbott said in a statement regarding sending the Guardsmen to Austin: “Violence and destruction will never be tolerated in Texas. » The Newsroom also reported that state troopers were stationed at entrances to the Capitol to inspect bags, but protesters said the law enforcement presence appeared smaller than during the previous “No Kings” event in June.
Saturday’s rally was peaceful and no arrests were made, according to Austin police.
NPR’s Joel Rose and KQED reporter Brian Krans contributed to this report.
