Anti-Trump Demonstrations Sweep the United States and Cross Borders

Massive protests erupted across the United States on Saturday, spreading to other countries in opposition to President Donald Trump, as millions of demonstrators expressed outrage over what they perceive as an authoritarian and lawless turn in his administration.

This marks the third time in less than a year that Americans have mobilized under the "No Kings" movement — the most visible face of anti-Trump opposition since the start of his second term in January 2025.

Protesters now have a new grievance fueling their anger: the war against Iran that Trump launched alongside Israel, with objectives and end dates that continue to shift.

Demonstrations took place across several cities, including Atlanta, where thousands gathered in a park to denounce what they called authoritarian rule. One man held a sign reading "We are losing our democracy."

In West Bloomfield, Michigan, near Detroit, demonstrators braved below-freezing temperatures to join the protest. In Washington, marchers — some carrying signs reading "Trump must go now" and "Fight fascism" — crossed a bridge over the Potomac River toward the Lincoln Memorial, a historic site of civil rights demonstrations in decades past.

The wave of rejection extended beyond U.S. borders, with protests held Saturday in European cities including Amsterdam, Madrid, and Rome.

Record Numbers Expected

During the first "No Kings" demonstration in June, several million people marched from New York to San Francisco. The second edition, held in October, drew approximately seven million participants according to organizers.

An even larger turnout is now anticipated, given Trump's low approval rating — hovering around 40% — and the upcoming midterm elections in November, in which Republicans could lose control of both legislative chambers.

While Trump is revered by many within his "Make America Great Again" movement, on the other side of the country's deep political divide he faces opposition of equal intensity.

His critics challenge his tendency to govern through executive orders, his use of the Department of Justice to pursue political opponents, his denial of climate change, and his assault on racial and gender diversity programs. Added to these concerns is his recent display of U.S. military power, following a campaign in which he portrayed himself as a man of peace.

"Since the last time we marched, this administration has dragged us even deeper into war," said Naveed Shah of Common Defense, a veterans' organization affiliated with the "No Kings" movement. "At home, we have witnessed citizens killed in the streets by militarized forces. We have seen families torn apart and immigrant communities targeted — all in the name of one man who seeks to rule like a king," he added.

Springsteen in Minnesota

Organizers report that more than 3,000 demonstrations are scheduled across major cities, as well as suburban and rural areas — including the remote town of Kotzebue, Alaska, located above the Arctic Circle.

Minnesota is expected to serve as a focal point, months after becoming the national epicenter of the debate surrounding Trump's violent immigration crackdown. Legendary rock musician Bruce Springsteen, a vocal critic of the president, is scheduled to perform in St. Paul, the state capital, where he will play his song "Streets of Minneapolis."

The ballad was written and recorded within 24 hours in memory of Renee Good and Alex Pretti, two American citizens shot and killed by federal agents during immigration enforcement operations in the city.

Organizers note that two-thirds of those planning to demonstrate Saturday do not live in major cities, which have traditionally been Democratic strongholds.