Across the United States, 'No Kings' demonstrations took place on Saturday, with protesters voicing discontent over the administration of President Donald Trump and what they claim is a backsliding of democratic norms. Organized by a coalition of civil society groups, the rallies, purportedly numbering over 3,000, highlighted concerns about authoritarian tendencies under Trump's leadership and a perceived erosion of constitutional safeguards, as participants marched in cities nationwide.

In the capital, Washington, D.C., marchers crossed a bridge over the Potomac River to the Lincoln Memorial, a site of historic civil rights protests, carrying banners with slogans such as 'Trump Must Go Now!' and 'Fight Fascism.' In Atlanta, a protester told AFP that the U.S. Constitution is 'under threat in a multitude of different ways,' echoing widespread anxieties about governance and civil liberties under the current regime.

The White House dismissed the rallies, with spokesperson Abigail Jackson describing them as a product of 'leftist funding networks' with little genuine public support, while the National Republican Congressional Committee also sharply criticized the events. This marks the third such demonstration in less than a year, following previous rounds in June and October that drew several million participants, with organizers allegedly aiming for over 9 million nationwide this time.

The protests occur amid growing backlash against Trump's policies, including immigration, alleged high-level corruption, the cost-of-living crisis, and the ongoing conflict with Iran. Rising fuel prices due to the joint U.S.-Israeli attack on Iran have further fueled public anger. With midterm elections looming in November, when the Republican Party could lose control of both chambers of Congress, Trump faces increasing political pressure, exacerbating tensions within the U.S. political landscape.

Source: www.dw.com