An estimated 8 million people took to the streets across 3,300 U.S. locations on Saturday, marking the third and largest “No Kings” demonstration since the movement’s inception. The protests, fueled by opposition to President Donald Trump’s executive overreach and the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, featured high-profile figures led by Oscar-winner Robert De Niro.
Organizers report that the March 28 turnout eclipsed previous demonstrations in June and October, though independent verification of the 8-million-person figure is pending. The “No Kings” platform has coalesced around a diverse set of grievances, including environmental protections, gun control, and recent challenges to constitutional norms.
Speaking alongside Rev. Al Sharpton in New York City, the 82-year-old De Niro delivered a blistering critique of the administration. “Our democracy is at stake, period,” De Niro told MS Now. “We cannot let up until the midterms are resolved for the right reasons.”
De Niro’s remarks highlighted a deepening rift between the cultural elite and the White House. The actor specifically cited the President’s 2025 executive order targeting birthright citizenship—a move currently tied up in litigation by the ACLU—as evidence of an “existential threat” to the 14th Amendment.
“When the crowds are chanting ‘no kings,’ what I’m hearing is ‘no Trump,'” De Niro said during a press conference. He further accused the administration of using geopolitical maneuvers to “deflect” from domestic controversies, including the ongoing discourse surrounding the “Epstein files.”
The protests come at a volatile moment for U.S. foreign policy. The U.S.-Israel war with Iran entered its fifth week on Saturday. While the death toll remains at 13 U.S. service members, the Pentagon confirmed that wounded personnel now exceed 300.
As protesters gathered, U.S. Central Command confirmed the arrival of 3,500 additional troops and the USS Tripoli in the Middle East. Despite a 15-point ceasefire proposal from Washington, negotiations remain stalled as Tehran continues to reject terms regarding its nuclear program and maritime access.
The Trump administration remains dismissive of the growing unrest. White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson characterized the nationwide events as “Trump Derangement Therapy Sessions,” suggesting the demonstrations only hold interest for the media outlets covering them.
Other notable figures participating in the Saturday rallies included Bruce Springsteen—who performed “Streets of Minneapolis” in Saint Paul—Jane Fonda, Joan Baez, and Maggie Rogers.
