It takes real courage to speak out against power—especially when that power has a track record of abuse. That’s why so many Americans were inspired to take a stand against President Donald Trump’s increasingly authoritarian behavior.
On June 14 and 15, more than 5 million people participated in over 2,100 “No Kings” protests across all 50 states. Organized under the banner of defending democracy, these events drew people from red, blue, and purple communities—gathering in city squares, small towns, and rural areas alike. Some protests were small and intimate, others filled streets with massive crowds.
The demonstrations came at a tense time. Trump had just used the U.S. military against peaceful protesters, and the governors of Virginia and Texas preemptively deployed the National Guard. In Minnesota, thousands still turned out despite the shocking news that a Democratic state lawmaker and her husband had been assassinated. The suspected gunman, later caught, was found with a list of Democratic officials and Planned Parenthood clinics—and a flyer about the “No Kings” events.
That same weekend, Trump held an extravagant military parade for his birthday. It flopped. Despite attempts by White House officials to inflate attendance numbers, the event was sparsely attended. Trump’s tone was noticeably subdued—perhaps due to the backlash over his increasingly partisan rhetoric and unpopular decision to deploy troops in U.S. cities like Los Angeles.
The protests and public pushback show that resistance works. Courts have struck down many of Trump’s more extreme executive orders. And when public outcry grows—especially among his own base—Trump often reverses course. For example, he paused workplace immigration raids after businesses objected to the economic fallout, only to double down later in a show of force to his most hardline supporters.
His language has also become more dangerous. He recently called Democrats “sick of mind” and claimed they want to “destroy our inner cities,” reinforcing the idea that cities are the “core of the Democratic power center.” This kind of dehumanizing rhetoric fuels political violence, much like his pardons for violent January 6th rioters sent a clear message to far-right extremists that violence on his behalf will be rewarded.
We can’t ignore the risks of speaking out. Trump still holds immense power, and he’s surrounded by people willing to use it to punish dissent. But victories—legal, social, or political—can weaken that grip. And when law firms and institutions cave to Trump’s bullying, they often face consequences of their own, losing talent and public trust.
With over three years left in Trump’s term, we each face critical choices. Whether we speak up or stay silent will shape the country’s future—freedom or authoritarianism. But as the “No Kings” weekend demonstrated, we are stronger when we act together, guided by courage, discipline, and a shared vision for a better America.
