The Hypocrisy of the 'No Kings' Protests: A Rejection of Democracy in Disguise
The 'No Kings' protests, spearheaded by Democratic-aligned groups, claim to champion democracy and oppose authoritarianism under President Trump. But let's peel back the layers: these demonstrations are anything but a genuine defense of democratic principles. Instead, they reveal a deep-seated inability among participants to accept the results of a fair election. If protesters were rallying against a leader who betrayed his campaign pledges or veered into uncharted territory, that might hold water. Yet, Trump is delivering precisely what he promised during his 2024 campaign—policies on immigration, trade, energy, and more that voters endorsed when they returned him to office. This isn't protest; it's a tantrum from those who lost "fair and square" in a democratic process, now ironically undermining the very system they profess to love.
To understand the 'No Kings' movement, we need to look at its origins and organization. The protests kicked off in June 2025, shortly after Trump's inauguration, with nationwide events framed as a stand against his supposed "authoritarian power grab." Organized by progressive coalitions like Indivisible and other Democratic operatives, these gatherings drew crowds in cities across the U.S., with slogans emphasizing "No Dictators" or "No Tyrants." By October 2025, a second wave is planned for October 18, including a major rally on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., where organizers anticipate "historic turnout" potentially in the millions. These events are heavily funded and coordinated, with merchandise like T-shirts being sold and involvement from groups tied to the Democratic Party. Critics from the right, including House Speaker Mike Johnson and Majority Leader Steve Scalise, have labeled them "Hate America" rallies, pointing to participation from far-left elements like Antifa and paid agitators. Even some left-leaning voices admit the anger is "way higher" this time, fueled by opposition to Trump's agenda.
But here's the core irony: the protests aren't about unexpected tyranny—they're a reaction to Trump fulfilling his explicit campaign promises. During the 2024 election, Trump laid out a clear platform under "Agenda 47," focusing on border security, economic protectionism, energy independence, and rolling back what he called "woke" policies. By mid-2025, he's already made strides. For instance, mass deportations were a cornerstone pledge, and reports confirm the administration has initiated large-scale operations targeting illegal immigrants, aligning directly with voter-approved goals. Tariffs on imports, especially from China, were another key promise; Trump imposed them early in his term, aiming to protect American industries and jobs. On energy, he's unleashed "American energy dominance" through deregulation and expanded drilling, keeping his word on lowering costs and boosting production. Even executive orders in his first 100 days reflect this fidelity: actions on taxes, regulation, and cultural issues like ending DEI programs in federal agencies. The White House states that Trump has "kept his promises—and then some," with a list of 20 core commitments largely checked off in his first six months.
Of course, not everyone agrees he's batting a thousand. Some outlets argue he's broken promises on issues like infrastructure or certain economic targets, or that his approach has veered into overreach. But even these critiques acknowledge progress on major fronts, like securing borders and cutting regulations.The point is, Trump's actions aren't surprises—they're the mandate he received from the electorate in November 2024. Protesting them under the banner of "democracy" is disingenuous at best. As one X post aptly put it, these are Democrat-funded spectacles where "illegals, Antifa, thugs for hire" gather to oppose popular policies. Another observer called it a "turning point" for Democrats against Trump, but really, it's just sour grapes masquerading as activism.
At its heart, this movement exposes a fundamental hypocrisy. Democrats and their allies tout the Constitution and "No One Is Above the Law," yet they're rejecting the democratic outcome because it didn't favor them. These aren't spontaneous uprisings; they're orchestrated by top-tier operatives with deep pockets, timed suspiciously around political battles like government funding fights. If anything, the 'No Kings' crowds are the ones acting undemocratically—gathering not to address broken promises, but to rail against a president executing the will of the people. It's a stark reminder: when you lose an election, the mature response is to organize for the next one, not protest the system itself. Anything else is just ignorance or denial dressed up as virtue.
And yes, unfortunately all of these photos are of our "democratic" neighbors here in Coos Bay, Oregon (slightly edited to attempt to protect privacy).