Protesting the direction of the country under President Donald Trump, millions of people gathered Saturday in the nation’s capital and communities across the U.S. for “ No Kings ” demonstrations — what the president's Republican Party is calling “Hate America” rallies.Scroll down for local coverage of the protests from across the USThey rallied with signs like “Nothing is more patriotic than protesting” or “Resist Fascism,” and in many places it looked more like a street party. There were marching bands, a huge banner with the U.S. Constitution’s “We The People,” preamble that people could sign, and protesters in frog costumes, which have emerged as a sign of resistance in Portland, Oregon.This is the third mass mobilization since Trump's return to the White House and comes against the backdrop of a government shutdown that not only has closed federal programs and services, but is testing the core balance of power as an aggressive executive confronts Congress and the courts in ways that organizers warn are a slide toward American authoritarianism.Demonstrators packed places like New York City's Times Square, the historic Boston Commons, Chicago's Grant Park, Washington, D.C., and hundreds of smaller public spaces.Many protesters were especially angered by attacks on their motives. In Washington, Brian Reymann said being called a terrorist all week by Republicans was “pathetic.”“This is America. I disagree with their politics — but I don’t believe that they don’t love this country. I believe they are misguided. I think they are power hungry,” Reymann said, carrying a large American flag.Trump himself is spending the weekend at his Mar-a-Lago home in Florida.“They say they’re referring to me as a king. I’m not a king,” Trump said in a Fox News interview airing early Friday, before he departed for a $1 million-per-plate MAGA Inc. fundraiser at his club. Protests are expected nearby Saturday.Later Friday, a Trump campaign social media account mocked the protests by posting a computer-generated video of the president clothed like a monarch, wearing a crown and waving from a balcony.Nationwide demonstrationsPeople packed into New York City's Times Square, Boston Common and Chicago's Grant Park; outside state capitols in Tennessee and Indiana and a courthouse in Billings, Montana; and at hundreds of smaller public spaces. More than 2,600 rallies were planned on the day, organizers said.Many protesters were angered by attacks on their motives. In Washington, Brian Reymann said being called a terrorist all week by Republicans was "pathetic.""This is America. I disagree with their politics, but I don't believe that they don't love this country," Reymann said, carrying a large U.S. flag. "I believe they are misguided. I think they are power-hungry."More than 1,500 people gathered in Birmingham, Alabama, evoking and openly citing the city's history of protests and the critical role it played in the Civil Rights Movement two generations ago."It just feels like we're living in an America that I don't recognize," said Jessica Yother, a mother of four. She and other protesters said they felt camaraderie by gathering in a state where Trump won nearly 65% of the vote last November."It was so encouraging," Yother said. "I walked in and thought, 'Here are my people.'"In San Francisco, hundreds of people spelled out "No Kings" and other phrases with their bodies on Ocean Beach. Salt Lake City demonstrators gathered outside the Utah State Capitol to share messages of hope and healing after a protester was fatally shot during the city's first "No Kings" march in June.Organizers hope to build opposition movementMore than 2,600 rallies are planned Saturday in cities large and small, organized by hundreds of coalition partners.“Big rallies like this give confidence to people who have been sitting on the sidelines but are ready to speak up,” Democratic U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy said in an interview with The Associated Press.While protests earlier this year — against Elon Musk's cuts in the spring and Trump’s June military parade — drew crowds, organizers say this one is uniting the opposition. Top Democrats such as Senate Leader Chuck Schumer and Independent Sen. Bernie Sanders are joining in what organizers view as an antidote to Trump's actions, from the administration's clampdown on free speech to its military-style immigration raids.“There is no greater threat to an authoritarian regime than patriotic people-power,” said Ezra Levin, a co-founder of Indivisible, among the key organizers. In April, the national march against Trump and Elon Musk had 1,300 registered locations. In June, for the first “No Kings” day, there were 2,100 registered locations.Before noon, several thousand people had gathered in Times Square, chanting “Trump must go now,” and waving sometimes-profane signs with slogans insulting the president and condemning his immigration crackdown. Some people carried American flags.Retired family doctor Terence McCormally was heading to Arlington National Cemetery to join others walking across the Memorial Bridge that enters Washington directly in front of the Lincoln Memorial. He said the recent deployment of the National Guard made him more wary of police than in the past.“I really don’t like the crooks and conmen and religious zealots who are trying to use the country” for personal gain, McCormally said, “while they are killing and hurting millions of people with bombs.”Republicans denounce ‘Hate America’ ralliesRepublicans have sought to portray Saturday's protesters as far outside the mainstream and a prime reason for the government shutdown, now in its 18th day.From the White House to Capitol Hill, GOP leaders disparaged the rallygoers as “communists” and “Marxists." They say Democratic leaders, including Schumer, are beholden to the far-left flank and willing to keep the government shut down to appease those liberal forces.“I encourage you to watch — we call it the Hate America rally — that will happen Saturday,” said House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La.“Let’s see who shows up for that," Johnson said, listing groups including “antifa types,” people who “hate capitalism” and “Marxists in full display.”Many demonstrators responded to such hyperbole with silliness in part because they say Trump leans heavily on theatrics — like claiming cities he sends troops to are war zones — said Glen Kalbaugh, a Washington protester.“So much of what we’ve seen from this administration has been so unserious and silly that we have to respond with the same energy,” said Kalbaugh, who wore a wizard hat and held a sign with a frog on it.Democrats try to regain their footingDemocrats have refused to vote on legislation that would reopen the government as they demand funding for health care. Republicans say they are willing to discuss the issue later, only after the government reopens.But for many Democrats, the government closure is also a way to stand up to Trump, and try to push the presidency back to its place in the U.S. system as a co-equal branch of government. It's also a way to draw a moral line in the sand, said Murphy, the senator from Connecticut.“Trump does think that he’s a king," Murphy said at the Washington rally, "and he thinks that he can act more corruptly when the government is shut down. But he cannot.”The situation is a potential turnaround from just six months ago, when Democrats and their allies were divided and despondent. Schumer, in particular, was berated by his party for allowing an earlier government funding bill to sail through the Senate without using it to challenge Trump.“What we are seeing from the Democrats is some spine,” said march organizer Levin. “The worst thing the Democrats could do right now is surrender.”A closer look at Hearst Television coverage of the 'No Kings' protests across the US:Alabama: Protesters march in Birmingham during the second round of nationwide 'No Kings' protests against the Trump administrationBaltimore, Maryland: Several 'No Kings' rallies make their mark throughout the Baltimore areaBoston, Massachusetts:California: Thousands rally at California Capitol as part of nationwide ‘No Kings’ protestsFlorida:Georgia: ‘No Kings Day’ returns to downtown Savannah; Organizers say about 5,000 marchedIowa: Thousands in Iowa rally against Trump administration with 'No Kings' protests Kansas City, Kansas: Thousands gather across the metro for 'No Kings 2.0' ralliesKentucky: Thousands come together in downtown Louisville for second 'No Kings' rallyLouisiana:New Mexico: 'No Kings' demonstration in Albuquerque draws thousandsOhio: Demonstrators attend 'No Kings' protests across the Greater Cincinnati regionOklahoma: Thousands in Oklahoma City join 'No Kings' protests against Trump administrationPittsburgh, Pennsylvania: 'No Kings' protests taking place throughout Western Pa., nationwide SaturdayWashington, D.C.:Wisconsin: Southeast Wisconsin joins nationwide 'No Kings' protests against Trump, administrationAssociated Press journalists Matt Brown, Lisa Mascaro and Kevin Freking in Washington, Jill Colvin and Joseph Frederick in New York, Jeffrey Collins in Columbia, South Carolina, Hannah Schoenbaum in Salt Lake City, Chris Megerian in West Palm Beach, Florida, Bill Barrow in Birmingham, Alabama, and Safiya Riddle in Montgomery, Alabama, contributed.
WASHINGTON — Protesting the direction of the country under , millions of people gathered Saturday in the nation’s capital and communities across the U.S. for “ ” demonstrations — what the president's Republican Party is calling .
Scroll down for local coverage of the protests from across the US
They rallied with signs like “Nothing is more patriotic than protesting” or “Resist Fascism,” and in many places it looked more like a street party. There were marching bands, a huge banner with the U.S. Constitution’s “We The People,” preamble that people could sign, and protesters in frog costumes, which have emerged as a sign of resistance in Portland, Oregon.
This is the since Trump's return to the White House and comes against the backdrop of a that not only has closed federal but is testing the core balance of power as an aggressive executive confronts in ways that organizers warn are a slide toward American authoritarianism.
Demonstrators packed places like New York City's Times Square, the historic Boston Commons, Chicago's Grant Park, Washington, D.C., and hundreds of smaller public spaces.
Many protesters were especially angered by attacks on their motives. In Washington, Brian Reymann said being called a terrorist all week by Republicans was “pathetic.”
“This is America. I disagree with their politics — but I don’t believe that they don’t love this country. I believe they are misguided. I think they are power hungry,” Reymann said, carrying a large American flag.
Trump himself is spending the weekend at his Mar-a-Lago home in Florida.
“They say they’re referring to me as a king. I’m not a king,” Trump said in a Fox News interview airing early Friday, before he departed for a $1 million-per-plate MAGA Inc. fundraiser at his club. Protests are expected nearby Saturday.
Later Friday, a Trump campaign social media account mocked the protests by posting a computer-generated video of the president clothed like a monarch, wearing a crown and waving from a balcony.
Jenny Kane
People march during a "No Kings" protest Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025, in Portland, Ore.
Nationwide demonstrations
People packed into New York City's Times Square, Boston Common and Chicago's Grant Park; outside state capitols in Tennessee and Indiana and a courthouse in Billings, Montana; and at hundreds of smaller public spaces. More than 2,600 rallies were planned on the day, organizers said.
Many protesters were angered by attacks on their motives. In Washington, Brian Reymann said being called a terrorist all week by Republicans was "pathetic."
"This is America. I disagree with their politics, but I don't believe that they don't love this country," Reymann said, carrying a large U.S. flag. "I believe they are misguided. I think they are power-hungry."
More than 1,500 people gathered in Birmingham, Alabama, evoking and openly citing the city's history of protests and the critical role it played in the Civil Rights Movement two generations ago.
"It just feels like we're living in an America that I don't recognize," said Jessica Yother, a mother of four. She and other protesters said they felt camaraderie by gathering in a state where Trump won nearly 65% of the vote last November.
"It was so encouraging," Yother said. "I walked in and thought, 'Here are my people.'"
In San Francisco, hundreds of people spelled out "No Kings" and other phrases with their bodies on Ocean Beach. Salt Lake City demonstrators gathered outside the Utah State Capitol to share messages of hope and healing after a protester was fatally shot during the city's first "No Kings" march in June.
Mike Stewart
People participate in a "No Kings" rally, Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025, in Birmingham, Ala.
Organizers hope to build opposition movement
More than 2,600 rallies are planned Saturday in cities large and small, organized by hundreds of coalition partners.
“Big rallies like this give confidence to people who have been sitting on the sidelines but are ready to speak up,” Democratic U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy said in an interview with The Associated Press.
While protests earlier this year — in the spring and Trump’s June — drew crowds, organizers say this one is uniting the opposition. Top Democrats such as Senate Leader and Independent Sen. are joining in what organizers view as an antidote to Trump's actions, from the administration's clampdown on free speech to its military-style immigration raids.
“There is no greater threat to an authoritarian regime than patriotic people-power,” said Ezra Levin, a co-founder of Indivisible, among the key organizers. In April, the national march against Trump and Elon Musk had 1,300 registered locations. In June, for the first “No Kings” day, there were 2,100 registered locations.
Before noon, several thousand people had gathered in Times Square, chanting “Trump must go now,” and waving sometimes-profane signs with slogans insulting the president and condemning his immigration crackdown. Some people carried American flags.
Retired family doctor Terence McCormally was heading to Arlington National Cemetery to join others walking across the Memorial Bridge that enters Washington directly in front of the Lincoln Memorial. He said the recent deployment of the made him more wary of police than in the past.
“I really don’t like the crooks and conmen and religious zealots who are trying to use the country” for personal gain, McCormally said, “while they are killing and hurting millions of people with bombs.”
Republicans denounce ‘Hate America’ rallies
Republicans have sought to portray Saturday's protesters as far outside the mainstream and a prime reason for the , now in its 18th day.
From the White House to Capitol Hill, disparaged the rallygoers as “communists” and “Marxists." They say Democratic leaders, including Schumer, are beholden to the far-left flank and willing to keep the government shut down to appease those liberal forces.
“I encourage you to watch — we call it the Hate America rally — that will happen Saturday,” said R-La.
“Let’s see who shows up for that," Johnson said, listing groups including “antifa types,” people who “hate capitalism” and “Marxists in full display.”
ALLISON ROBBERT
Attendees sign a banner representing the U.S. Constitution during a No Kings protest, Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025, in Washington.
Jose Luis Magana
Demonstrators carry a signed banner representing the U.S. Constitution as they rally at the 14th and U street corridor before marching to the National Mall during a No Kings protest in Washington, Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025.
Many demonstrators responded to such hyperbole with silliness in part because they say Trump leans heavily on theatrics — like claiming cities he sends troops to are war zones — said Glen Kalbaugh, a Washington protester.
“So much of what we’ve seen from this administration has been so unserious and silly that we have to respond with the same energy,” said Kalbaugh, who wore a wizard hat and held a sign with a frog on it.
Democrats try to regain their footing
Democrats have refused to vote on legislation that would reopen the government as they demand funding for health care. Republicans say they are willing to discuss the issue later, only after the government reopens.
But for many Democrats, the government closure is also a way to stand up to Trump, and try to push the presidency back to its place in the U.S. system as a co-equal branch of government. It's also a way to draw a moral line in the sand, said Murphy, the senator from Connecticut.
“Trump does think that he’s a king," Murphy said at the Washington rally, "and he thinks that he can act more corruptly when the government is shut down. But he cannot.”
The situation is a potential turnaround from just six months ago, when Democrats and their allies were divided and despondent. Schumer, in particular, was berated by his party for allowing an earlier government funding bill to sail through the Senate without using it to challenge Trump.
“What we are seeing from the Democrats is some spine,” said march organizer Levin. “The worst thing the Democrats could do right now is surrender.”
A closer look at Hearst Television coverage of the 'No Kings' protests across the US:
Alabama:
Baltimore, Maryland:
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California:
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Georgia:
Kansas City, Kansas:
Kentucky:
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New Mexico:
Ohio:
Oklahoma:
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania:
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Wisconsin:
Associated Press journalists Matt Brown, Lisa Mascaro and Kevin Freking in Washington, Jill Colvin and Joseph Frederick in New York, Jeffrey Collins in Columbia, South Carolina, Hannah Schoenbaum in Salt Lake City, Chris Megerian in West Palm Beach, Florida, Bill Barrow in Birmingham, Alabama, and Safiya Riddle in Montgomery, Alabama, contributed.
