Nationwide Protests Erupt No Kings Day in Presidents’ Day
Public backlash against former President Donald Trump’s No Kings Day reactionary agenda spilled into the streets on Presidents’ Day, as demonstrators from New York to Atlanta to San Francisco participated in the largest mass protests since the beginning of his second administration.
Dubbed “No Kings Day,” the demonstrations reflected a growing resistance to Trump’s authoritarian executive orders and the controversial influence of billionaire Elon Musk, whose so-called Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has been accused of overstepping legal boundaries in reshaping federal agencies.
No Kings Day A Grassroots Movement Takes Shape
The protests were organized by a coalition known as 50501—a reference to their rallying cry: “50 protests. 50 states. 1 movement.” According to the group’s website, their goal is to combat the “anti-democratic and illegal actions” of the Trump administration and its wealthy backers.
Musk, in particular, was a focal point of outrage. The billionaire’s increasing control over government functions has sparked accusations of plutocratic overreach. Protesters took to social media to share videos and images of their chants, including:
“Hey, hey. Ho, ho. Elon Musk has got to go!”
D.C. Protest Draws Thousands “No Kings Day”
One of the largest demonstrations took place in Washington, D.C., where thousands of protesters gathered around the reflecting pool in front of the Lincoln Memorial. Waving American flags, they demanded an end to Musk’s unchecked influence over DOGE, which has been wielding powers typically reserved for Congress—such as blocking federal payments and attempting to dismantle entire agencies.
Addressing the legislative branch directly, protesters chanted:
“Hey Congress, grow a spine!”
Coast-to-Coast Resistance
Major protests erupted in multiple cities across the country:
- New York City: Union Square was packed with demonstrators denouncing what they called a “fascist coup.”
- Boston: Despite frigid temperatures, thousands marched through the snow-covered streets.
- San Francisco: Outside City Hall, protesters carried signs reading “No One Elected Elon” and “Democracy Not DOGEbags.”
In Atlanta, a powerful chant rang out among demonstrators:
“Stand up! Fight back!”
A New Wave of Protest
During Trump’s first term, street protests defined resistance movements—from the Women’s March in 2017 to the Black Lives Matter demonstrations in 2020. However, his second administration had seen relatively little public outcry until now.
Experts attribute the earlier silence to a sense of resignation after Trump’s re-election—despite his felony convictions—as well as fears of retribution against protesters. Monday’s demonstrations, however, suggest that many Americans are no longer willing to stay quiet.
As the momentum builds, the message of No Kings Day is clear: Americans are ready to push back against authoritarianism, no matter the cost.
