Across the United States, millions of Americans are expected to take part in over 2,500 “No Kings” protests scheduled for today, voicing opposition to President Donald Trump’s administration. CNN reporters are on the ground in major cities, covering the demonstrations as they unfold.
The protests, organizers say, are a response to what they describe as an increasingly militarized and authoritarian approach by the Trump administration. Since the initial wave of “No Kings” protests in June, actions such as sweeping ICE raids and federal troop deployments in Democratic-led states have further fueled public outrage. Some Republican leaders have dismissed the rallies, labeling them anti-American, while Trump himself suggested that Democrats are delaying government negotiations in response to the protests.
Adding to the tense backdrop, the federal government remains partially shut down. GOP lawmakers and the White House are in a standoff with Democrats over health care subsidies, with no funding bill passed yet.
Ahead of the demonstrations, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) issued an intelligence report warning law enforcement agencies about potential risks of violence at certain events. While the report did not cite specific threats or name any protests, it highlighted potential warning signs, including the presence of individuals with a history of exploiting protests for violent action and attendees trained in paramilitary tactics. The guidance urged local authorities to coordinate with transit agencies, establish separate areas for protesters and counter-protesters, and work with event organizers to maintain lawful demonstrations.
The Indivisible Project, the nonprofit behind the “No Kings” movement, emphasized its commitment to peaceful protests. The group has trained tens of thousands of participants in safety and de-escalation techniques, underscoring that the events are designed to contrast with the administration’s show of force in Democratic-led cities. Ezra Levin, co-founder of Indivisible, highlighted that the demonstrations involve a diverse coalition of participants across age and background lines.
North Carolina Attorney General Jeff Jackson also urged citizens to exercise their right to protest safely. “Peaceful protest is one of the most important rights we have as Americans. It’s how people make their voices heard and stand up for what they believe in,” he said.
Republican officials, meanwhile, have characterized the rallies as disruptive or politically motivated. House Speaker Mike Johnson suggested, without evidence, that protesters could include “pro-Hamas” and Antifa members, while GOP Sen. Roger Marshall warned of “professional protesters” and agitators.
Today’s nationwide events mark the second iteration of the “No Kings” protests, with approximately 450 more demonstrations than in June, when around 5 million Americans participated. The initial protests arose in response to early moves by Trump’s second-term administration targeting birthright citizenship, transgender protections, diversity initiatives, and student activism. Over the summer, the administration has continued actions that organizers cite as authoritarian, including mass immigration raids and federal troop deployments.
As the rallies unfold, the White House remains in the spotlight for other developments. President Trump recently commuted the sentence of former Rep. George Santos, while Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky concluded a meeting with Trump without securing additional missile support. Meanwhile, several universities, including the University of Virginia, MIT, and USC, rejected a Trump administration funding proposal tied to changes in school policy.
Trump continues to blame Democrats for the government shutdown and attended a $1 million-per-plate fundraiser at Mar-a-Lago yesterday, with no public events scheduled for today.