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Millions of people were expected to gather in thousands of locations across the United States on Saturday for a nationwide “No Kings” protest challenging Donald Trump and his GOP priorities.
Saturday's demonstrations across the country marked the second “No Kings” protest since Trump took office. Some Democratic Party members and congressional candidates are expected to attend.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., did not give a clear answer when asked whether he would attend one of the rallies on Saturday, telling reporters he had not yet “finalized” his schedule. However, the Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer DN.Y., as well as House Democratic Caucus Chairman Pete Aguilar, D-Calif., told the press they would attend Saturday's event.
Republicans say a second mass “No Kings” protest planned for Saturday is simply an attempt to distract attention from the current situation. government shutdown fight and calm your base. House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-Louisiana, told FOX Business he hoped Democratic leaders in attendance would be more willing to accept the GOP plan after the demonstrations ended, but he didn't sound overly optimistic.
ANTI-ISRAELI RADICALS FROM THE GLOBAL INTIFADA MOVEMENT JOIN THE “NO TO KINGS” PROTESTS
Protesters rally against President Donald Trump in front of the Michigan State Capitol in June. (Photo by JEFF KOWALSKI/AFP via Getty Images)
“This will be a collection of the wild political priorities of the left, and it will be on display for the whole country. After this is over, I hope there are a few Democrats here who will come to their senses and get back to running the country,” Johnson said. “Right now, I don't think—it's my guess and ours—that they won't make that concession until after the rally because they don't want to face an angry crowd. I mean it's sad, but that's where we are.”
“My guess is that if they don't want a primary on the left, they'll probably find a way to sneak in.” [attending a rally] “The real question that will be is will they have the fortitude after Saturday to go back and open the government?”
At approximately 10:30 a.m. ET, crowds had already begun to gather in New York City's Times Square and the National Mall in New York City. Washington, DC and in Atlanta.
LEADER'S SCALE: DEMOCRATS SUPPORT 'NO KINGS' PROTESTS, BUT LET'S SHUT UP FAMILIES
House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-Louisiana, and other House GOP leaders are using Saturday's “No Kings” rallies as a political cudgel amid the government shutdown. (David McNew/Getty Images; Rod Lamkey Jr./AP Photo)
In Virginia, Republican Governor Glenn Youngkin mobilized National Guard to help with any potential chaos.
“I want to be clear that Virginians have a fundamental right to free speech and peaceful assembly, but that right does not include destruction of property, looting, vandalism, traffic disruption or violence of any kind — for which there will be zero tolerance,” Youngkin said, according to The Virginia Pilot.
Protests specific to Virginia are expected to take place in Hampton Roads, Chesapeake, Virginia Beach, Newport News and Williamsburg, according to a No Kings official statement. website.
“No Kings” protests against the Trump administration are expected to take place in cities across the country on October 18, 2025. (Ringo Chiu/AFP via Getty Images)
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In addition to protests taking place in the continental United States, protests are also expected in Puerto Rico, Hawaii and Alaska. Protests are also planned outside the US, including in many European countries, and at least one rally is planned in Mexico.
Fox News Digital's Elizabeth Elkind and Chase Williams contributed to this report.
