Scott Gurvey's Public Offerings

Anywhere from five to eight million people turned out for the second “No Kings” protests across the nation. The rallies took place in over 2,600 locations across the United States.

I have first or secondhand knowledge of protests in New York, Washington D.C., Chicago, Portland, San Francisco, and Los Angeles. They were peaceful. Crowds were almost jubilant at having an opportunity to voice their opposition to the actions of the Trump administration. The only place I heard Trump supporters showed up to counter the protest was Palo Alto, California. No Kings protesters refused to engage with the Trumpies, who they feared were trying to provoke them.

Republicans repeatedly sought to vilify the planned protests. House Speaker Mike Johnson and other leading Republicans have referred to the protests as a “hate America rally” and sought to tie it to Hamas and Antifa. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott sent the state’s National Guard as well as state troopers, Texas Rangers and Department of Public Safety personnel, to Austin in response to the demonstrations.

As for Trump himself, “They’re referring to me as a king. I’m not a king,” he said in an interview. But on Saturday morning, shortly before the Washington rally was set to kick off, the Trump War Room account posted an image of a smirking Trump wearing a crown. Trump also posted on his social media account a meme showing him in a fighter jet with “KING TRUMP” painted on the side. He sits in the airplane in front of something round that some see as a halo. Once in the air, the plane drops excrement on American cities, including what seems to be New York City. Classy, it ain’t.

But the fact that such large numbers gathered suggests broad dissatisfaction in many parts of the country, including traditionally conservative areas (“Trump country”).

Organizers say this was not intended as a one-off event. Rather, it’s a jump-start for a broader movement combining street protests, economic pressure (boycotts), organizing at local levels (school boards, unions, local elections) and rapid-response to government actions.

This protest is significant not just for the size, but for its style. The mix of festive imagery (costumes, inflatables) paired with serious political messaging suggests a new “feel” of protest—less confrontational, more inclusive-and-visible. The geographic spread into smaller towns and suburbs indicates the issue isn’t just urban; the messaging is reaching further.

The largely peaceful nature counters some stereotypical frames of “riots” or “violent mobs.” The demonstrations put to lie the MAGA talking points.

The question that remains to be answered is will the sentiments expressed on the streets of America be reflected in pressure on elected officials and ultimately, in the voting booths across the nation. Stay tuned.

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