Massive anti-Trump demonstrations are set to sweep across the US on Saturday as former President Donald Trump attends a military parade in Washington to mark the 250th anniversary of the US Army—a celebration that also coincides with his birthday.
Branded under the banner “No Kings,” the protests aim to denounce what organizers call Trump’s authoritarian tendencies, pro-billionaire policies, and the militarization of American democracy. The protest campaign is spearheaded by the 50501 Movement—a reference to “50 states, 50 protests, one movement.” They claim this will be the largest single-day mobilization since Trump’s return to office, with millions expected to rally across all 50 states and US territories.
A flagship “No Kings” march is scheduled to take place in Philadelphia, while hundreds of other demonstrations are planned from coast to coast. Notably, no protest events have been sanctioned in the capital, where Trump will oversee the military parade, added only weeks ago to the anniversary celebrations and expected to draw nearly 200,000 attendees.
The protests follow a turbulent week of unrest sparked by federal immigration enforcement raids. Tensions escalated further after Trump ordered National Guard troops and US Marines into Los Angeles, prompting violent clashes. Protesters there blocked highways and set vehicles on fire; law enforcement responded with tear gas, rubber bullets, and flash-bangs. A citywide curfew was imposed as Democratic governors condemned the deployment of troops as a “dangerous abuse of power.”
Washington State Governor Bob Ferguson called for restraint, warning protestors that Trump “wants to paint our state as incapable of maintaining public order.”
Meanwhile, Republican governors in Virginia, Texas, Nebraska, and Missouri began mobilizing National Guard troops in preparation for Saturday’s demonstrations. Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin declared a “zero tolerance” approach to violence or disruption, stating, “If you violate the law, you’re going to be arrested.” Missouri’s governor echoed this stance, pledging a “proactive approach” to maintain order.
In Florida, a protest march is planned near the gates of Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate. Governor Ron DeSantis warned demonstrators that “the line is very clear” and must not be crossed.
With nearly 2,000 protests expected across the country, organizers say their movement stands as a clear rejection of “monarchical politics and military showmanship”—a defiant counter to Trump’s symbolic parade and return to the national spotlight.
