No Kings protest surpasses records to become largest in U.S history — Trump admin rattled by scale

A huge protest called “No Kings” happened across the U.S. on June 14. It was against President Donald Trump’s second-term policies, which many say are too strict and authoritarian.

People protested in all 50 states and in over 2,000 cities. The protest is now believed to be the biggest in U.S. history. Estimates say 4 to 6 million people joined the protests. That’s about 1–2% of the U.S. population. The protests happened on the same day as Trump’s 79th birthday and a big military parade in Washington, D.C.

American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) said over 5 million people joined more than 2,100 rallies. Move On, a political group, also supported the 5 million number in an email. Jeremy Pressman from Harvard and UConn said it will take more time to confirm the numbers, as per the USA TODAY report.


Trump’s team downplayed the protests. His Communications Director Steven Cheung claimed 250,000 people went to the parade, and called the protests a “complete failure.”

Historical significance & size

These protests were larger than the 2017 Women’s March, and arguably the largest ever in U.S. history. Attendance estimates held firm at 4–6 million. In comparison, Hands Off protests (April 5) drew 3–5 million across 1,400 locations, still behind “No Kings”, as per The Independent, The Nation and Wikipedia.

What were the protests about?

People were upset about Trump’s immigration raids, especially in Los Angeles where Trump sent 4,000 National Guard troops and 700 Marines, even though the California Governor Gavin Newsom didn’t agree.

Many think Trump’s second term is much harsher than his first. Since January, there have been 15,000 protests, which is 3 times more than at this point in his first term, as per the Morris report.

Protest in cities

Los Angeles police used tear gas and batons because some people threw rocks and fireworks. New York City 50,000 people protested, as per New York Post report.

In Boston the “No Kings” protest joined the Pride Parade. Up to 1 million people are expected. Northern Virginia a man drove an SUV into a protest crowd, hurting at least one person. In Minnesota all protests were cancelled after a shooter attacked local lawmakers.

Sheriff Wayne Ivey from Brevard County, Florida, gave a scary press conference warning protesters, if you throw a brick or firebomb, police will kill you. If you hit or spit on a cop, you’ll go to hospital and jail and might get bit by police dogs. If you block roads, you’ll go to jail. He said, "We’re not going to play". As per the report by Independent.

FAQs

Q1. Why did people protest in the “No Kings” march?
People protested against Trump’s second-term policies, especially immigration raids and his increasing power.

Q2. How many people joined the “No Kings” protests?
Around 4 to 6 million people marched across the U.S., making it the biggest protest in American history.