Are the "No King" protests putting Donald Trump under real pressure? | DW News

Key Concepts

• No Kings Movement: A nationwide protest movement against the Trump administration's policies.
• Authoritarian Policies: Actions by the Trump administration perceived as consolidating power and undermining democratic safeguards.
• Unitary Executive Theory: A legal theory that asserts the President possesses complete control over the executive branch.
• Project 2025: A plan associated with the Trump administration aimed at restructuring the federal government.
• Gerrymandering: The manipulation of electoral district boundaries to favor one party.
• Tariff Implementation: The administration's trade policies, specifically tariffs, and their economic impact.
• Government Shutdown: A situation where Congress fails to pass spending bills, leading to a halt in government operations.
• Executive Orders: Directives issued by the President that have the force of law.
• ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement): A federal agency responsible for immigration enforcement.
• National Guard: A military reserve force that can be deployed for domestic emergencies.

Protests Against the Trump Administration: The "No Kings" Movement

Large-scale protests, organized under the banner of the "No Kings" movement, are occurring across the United States, with over two and a half thousand events taking place. Protesters are voicing their opposition to what they describe as the Trump administration's "authoritarian policies," asserting that President Trump believes his rule is absolute.

Grievances and Accusations

Demonstrators have outlined a comprehensive list of grievances against the administration, including:

• Vast Immigration Crackdown: Increased enforcement and operations by agencies like ICE.
• Mass Firing of Federal Workers: Reductions in the federal workforce.
• Attacks on Political Opponents, the Media, and Judicial Independence: Perceived undermining of democratic institutions and checks and balances.

Protesters argue that the administration is "dismantling every safeguard that we've had for our country and our democracy."

Republican Response

Top Republicans have largely condemned these gatherings, with some referring to them as "hate America rallies."

Senator Bernie Sanders' Perspective

Independent Senator Bernie Sanders has accused the Republican party of prioritizing the interests of the "wealthiest 1%" and a "billionaire class" who believe they have a "divine right to rule." He stated, "We will not move toward authoritarianism in America. We the people will rule."

Geographic Reach and Impact

The protests have drawn hundreds to the streets even in areas like Florida, where President Trump was spending time at his Mar-a-Lago home. Demonstrators in these locations express a sense of intimidation but also a strong belief in freedom and the importance of the Constitution. The movement spans all 50 states, highlighting a nationwide concern for the protection of the Constitution and democracy.

Expert Analysis and Future Outlook

Ethan Beman, an adjunct professor at Loyola Law School and a talk radio host, provided insights into the potential impact and trajectory of these protests.

Trump's Perceived Concerns

Beman suggests that President Trump is not "terribly concerned" about the protests themselves, but rather focuses on immediate issues.

Connection to Midterm Elections and Gerrymandering

A significant connection is drawn between the protests and the Trump administration's efforts to "pressure states into further gerrymandering districts" to secure victories in the upcoming midterm elections. This is seen as a strategy to maintain "complete power" over the federal government.

Factors Driving Protest Growth

Beman anticipates the protest movement will grow due to several factors:

• Tariff Implementation: The administration's "poorly planned and poorly executed" tariff policies are harming everyday Americans, including farmers in the Midwest who are losing access to the Chinese market.
• Federal Government Layoffs and Furloughs: These actions are impacting communities nationwide, including those that voted for Trump, such as Ogden, Utah.
• Healthcare Costs: An expected doubling of health insurance costs for 5 to 10 million Americans is predicted to significantly increase protest sizes.

Democratic Party's Challenge

While top Democrats have joined the protests, Beman notes their challenge in coalescing around a "singular and easy to understand message." He believes issues like healthcare and support for farmers are crucial, but the primary challenge is unifying around a message that addresses the "average American's pocketbook" rather than solely focusing on abstract concepts like "no kings" and preserving democracy.

Government Shutdown and Executive Power

The ongoing government shutdown, now in its third week, is discussed in relation to the protests and the administration's strategy.

Leveraging the Shutdown

Beman explains that the government shutdown is a tool the President is using to "further reduce the federal workforce" and "further consolidate power under the executive branch," referencing the "unitary executive theory." He notes that Republicans have "total control" over this process, as evidenced by the ease of confirming Trump's judicial nominees without Democratic votes.

Executive Order Usage

The transcript highlights the extensive use of executive orders by the Trump administration. In its first nine months, the administration issued more executive orders than the entire Biden administration did in one term. Over four years and nine months, Trump's presidency saw more executive orders than the combined presidencies of Biden and Obama (12 years).

Project 2025 Connection

The government shutdown is presented as part of a broader strategy, potentially linked to "Project 2025," a plan that President Trump has "bought into and is executing upon."

On-the-Ground Reporting from Washington D.C.

DW correspondent Benjamin Alvarez Gruber provided on-the-ground details from the protests in Washington D.C.

Protesters' Demands and Demographics

The "No Kings" protest name directly reflects the accusation that President Trump is acting like a monarch. Protesters are also concerned about "attacks on the First Amendment." The crowd in Washington D.C. is described as "very diverse," stretching for several city blocks along Pennsylvania Avenue. Similar large gatherings have been observed in New York and Boston. Organizers expected the current protest to be larger than the previous nationwide "No Kings" protest in June.

Trump Administration's Allies' Reactions

Republican leaders, such as Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, have labeled the protests as "hate America protests." The rhetoric from Trump's allies aims to portray protesters as "anti-American" and "anti-patriots." However, many protesters are seen carrying American flags, attempting to counter this narrative.

Specific Criticisms

Motivations for protesting are varied, with significant criticism directed at the Trump administration's policies, particularly regarding immigration enforcement by ICE. The increased presence of law enforcement and border patrol in cities like Chicago is a major concern, with speakers on stage repeatedly criticizing these crackdowns.

Concerns about Escalation and National Guard Deployment

Concerns exist about the potential for protests to escalate into violence. The National Guard has been deployed in Washington D.C. to secure tourist areas and metro stations, as much of the downtown area has been closed to vehicles. This increased law enforcement presence, including the National Guard, is a notable change compared to the June protests. There was also mention of a situation where the National Guard of Texas was not able to deploy, indicating potential complexities in their deployment.