Massive protests are set to sweep across the United States on Saturday as millions express their outrage against President Donald Trump’s perceived authoritarian tendencies and harsh governance. This marks the third nationwide demonstration organized by the grassroots movement known as “No Kings,” which has become the most prominent voice opposing Trump since he began his second term in January 2025.
In a significant development, the protests now also focus on the war in Iran, initiated by Trump in alliance with Israel, which has seen shifting objectives and unclear timelines. The movement’s first major protest occurred last June on Trump’s 79th birthday, coinciding with a military parade in Washington that he insisted on holding. Millions participated across cities from New York to San Francisco.
The second nationwide protest in October attracted an estimated seven million demonstrators, organizers. The upcoming event aims to surpass that turnout amid Trump’s approval rating hovering around 40 percent and the looming midterm elections in November, where Republicans risk losing control of both congressional chambers.
Trump remains a polarizing figure, deeply admired by his “Make America Great Again” supporters but equally despised by his opponents. Critics highlight his frequent use of executive orders, weaponization of the Justice Department against adversaries, promotion of fossil fuels, denial of climate change despite global warming, opposition to racial and gender diversity initiatives, and recent aggressive military actions despite campaigning as a peacemaker.
“Since the last march, this administration has dragged us deeper into war,” said Naveed Shah of Common Defense, a veterans’ group affiliated with “No Kings.” He added, “At home, we’ve witnessed citizens killed by militarized forces, families torn apart, and immigrant communities targeted—all in the name of one man trying to rule like a king.”
Organizers report over 3,000 rallies planned nationwide, an increase from previous protests, spanning major cities, suburbs, rural areas, and even the remote Alaskan town of Kotzebue above the Arctic Circle. Minnesota is expected to be a focal point, months after becoming central to the national debate over Trump’s harsh immigration policies.
Notably, legendary rocker Bruce Springsteen, a vocal Trump critic, will perform in St. Paul, Minnesota’s capital. His song “Streets of Minneapolis,” written in memory of Renee Good and Alex Pretti—Americans killed by federal agents during protests against Trump’s immigration crackdown in January—will be featured.
The “No Kings” movement condemned the administration’s actions, stating, “Masked secret police terrorizing communities, an illegal, catastrophic war endangering us and raising costs, attacks on free speech, civil rights, and voting freedoms—all pushing families to the brink. Trump seeks to rule as a tyrant.”
What began in 2025 as a single day of defiance has evolved into a powerful national resistance movement. Organizers note that two-thirds of Saturday’s expected participants live outside major cities, a significant increase since the last protest, highlighting the movement’s expanding reach beyond traditional Democratic strongholds.
“America stands at a crossroads,” said Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers. “People are fearful and struggling to afford basic needs. It’s time for the administration to listen and help build a better future instead of fueling hate and fear.”
