Mass Protests Erupt Across the U.S. Against Trump Administration

Americans in all 50 states took to the streets on Saturday in large-scale protests against the Trump administration, rallying under the message that the country is veering toward authoritarianism and rejecting the idea of “kings” in the United States.

The “No Kings” demonstrations, the second wave of protests organized by a coalition that first marched in June, are expected to draw millions of participants nationwide. Events are scheduled at over 2,700 locations, ranging from small towns to major cities, highlighting a decentralized approach compared to the early anti-Trump protests, which largely centered on Washington, D.C.

In Georgia, more than 10,000 people gathered at the Atlanta Civic Center by mid-morning in preparation for a march to the state capital.

U.S. Senator Raphael Warnock of Georgia expressed alarm over recent rhetoric and actions by the administration. “I heard an American president stand up the other day and say to generals in our military that we’ve got to stand up against the enemy within,” Warnock said. “I don’t care what your politics are. If you are an American citizen, you should be deeply concerned.”

Warnock also warned about the growing presence of federal law enforcement in communities nationwide, asking, “What the hell is happening? And all of us have to be concerned.”

The protests come amid an aggressive push by President Trump to deploy federal troops to cities and increase the presence of immigration enforcement agents. Critics say the administration is attempting to criminalize dissent, targeting left-leaning organizations accused of supporting terrorism or political violence.

Local governments and residents have resisted these efforts, filing lawsuits to block federal intervention and taking to the streets to protest the militarization of their communities.

Meanwhile, Trump’s allies have sought to portray the No Kings protests as anti-American and driven by antifa, the decentralized anti-fascist movement. Some have also claimed the demonstrations are contributing to the ongoing government shutdown. In Texas, Governor Greg Abbott announced plans to deploy the state’s National Guard to Austin in advance of the protests.