Updated Jun 15, 2025 - Politics & Policy

"No Kings" anti-Trump protests attract millions, organizers say

Sea of protesters and American flag — Demonstrators rally outside the Minnesota State Capitol building during a "No Kings" protest on Saturday, June 14, in St. Paul, Minnesota. Photo: Stephen Maturen/Getty Images

Millions of protesters across the U.S. took to the streets in demonstrations against the Trump administration on Saturday, in stark counter-programming to the president's Washington, D.C., military parade that evening.

Why it matters: "No Kings" protest organizers said the widespread movement marked the biggest single-day anti-President Trump protest during his second administration.

A demonstrator throws a tear gas canister back at law enforcement during clashes that erupted after authorities declared an unlawful assembly during the "No Kings" protest against the Trump administration in Los Angeles on June 14, 2025 on the day of Trump's military parade in Washington, DC. — A demonstrator throws a tear gas canister back at law enforcement during clashes that erupted after authorities declared an unlawful assembly during the "No Kings" protest against the Trump administration in Los Angeles on June 14. Photo: Etienne Laurent/AFP via Getty Images

The big picture: While most rallies passed peacefully, there were reports of clashes between police and protesters during a Los Angeles "No Kings" rally, where days-long fiery demonstrations against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids have been taking place.

In other incidents during "No Kings" protests, authorities said one person was critically injured in Salt Lake City after gunshots were fired and a man in Culpeper, Virginia, was arrested for allegedly intentionally driving an SUV through a crowd.

State of play: More than 5 million people took part in "No Kings" demonstrations in over 2,100 cities and towns across the country, with an additional 300 "Kick Out the Clowns" rallies being held.

Philadelphia saw more than 100,000 attendees and Chicago 75,000, while smaller towns such as Pentland, Michigan, reported 400 in a town of 800, organizers said.

Situation report: The Los Angles Police Department issued a dispersal order during an LA "No Kings" protest and alleged the crowd was "throwing rocks, bricks, bottles" and that officers were struck by "commercial grade fireworks" and other objects on Saturday afternoon local time.

Protesters said law enforcement officers had escalated the situation by using "super aggressive" tactics, per CBS News.
LA County Sheriff Robert Luna told the outlet his deputy sheriffs were only using less-lethal weapons when they or others were being attacked. "They're not just using it indiscriminately," he added.

Zoom out: A shooting targeting lawmakers and killing House Democratic Leader Melissa Hortman in Minnesota led to some event cancellations, but protesters still amassed in the state.

The Texas Department of Public Safety arrested a person in connection with threats against state lawmakers whom officials said planned to attend Austin's "No Kings" protest on Saturday. The threats saw Texas' state capitol briefly evacuated.

Of note: Trump threatened "very big force" against protesters during the military parade.

The administration has deployed National Guard members and U.S. Marines to Los Angeles in response to protests against immigration raids, and massive "No Kings" protests were taking place in the city on Saturday.

The intrigue: "No Kings" organizers intentionally avoided planning any events in Washington, D.C., where Trump planned a military parade on the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army and his 79th birthday.

"Instead of allowing this birthday parade to be the center of gravity, we will make action everywhere else the story of America that day: people coming together in communities across the country to reject strongman politics and corruption," organizers wrote.