The phrase "No Kings" is used as a slogan for a protest movement primarily in the United States that opposes what organizers and participants perceive as authoritarian, king-like behavior by former President Donald Trump during his second presidency. The term rejects the idea of having a "king" or monarch- like ruler in a democratic republic, emphasizing that power should belong to the people rather than being concentrated in the hands of one individual who acts like a monarch. The "No Kings" protests, which took place on June 14, 2025 (Trump's birthday and the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army), were a coordinated nationwide movement against policies and actions of the Trump administration, which critics described as authoritarian, such as defying courts, mass deportations, attacking civil rights, and enriching billionaire allies. Protesters used "No Kings" as a way to symbolically say no to having a dictator or tyrant figure in the presidency. The movement was also meant to affirm democratic governance "of, by, and for the people" as opposed to a monarchic rule or dictatorship. Because some countries have constitutional monarchies, international versions of the protests avoided the term “No Kings” and instead used alternatives like “No Tyrants” or “No Dictators” to avoid confusion with actual monarchs. The protests attracted millions of people across thousands of cities, making it one of the largest coordinated protest events in recent U.S. history. In summary, "No Kings" means a rejection of authoritarianism and a demand for democracy rather than dictatorship or monarchy, particularly in the context of opposing former President Trump's leadership style and policies. It symbolizes the defense of democratic principles against perceived overreach or autocratic tendencies in government.
