What we covered
• Widespread protests: “No Kings” demonstrations have taken place from coast to coast today, with attendees rallying against President Donald Trump’s policies, the rising cost of living and the war with Iran.
• On the ground: Throughout the day, crowds gathered to march, sing, dance and wave signs in major cities, suburbs and small towns across red and blue states, with huge marches taking place in Los Angeles and New York. A marquee event in Minnesota featured a Bruce Springsteen performance and a slate of high-profile speakers.
• Third round: Last year, millions of people attended largely peaceful protests on two “No Kings” days. Since then, Trump’s nationwide immigration enforcement blitz has come and gone in several major cities. Now, Americans are facing skyrocketing gas prices and a flagging economy due to the war.
Our live coverage of the “No Kings” demonstrations has ended for the day. Please scroll through the updates below for all of Saturday’s developments.
In Pictures: "No Kings" demonstrations take place across the country
“No Kings” demonstrations took place across the nation today, with crowds in major cities, suburbs and small towns marching, singing, and speaking out against President Donald Trump’s policies, the rising cost of living and the war with Iran.
In their own words: Protesters tell CNN why they showed up for "No Kings" protests
As crowds gathered across the US and beyond to resist President Donald Trump’s policies, “No Kings” protesters told CNN they felt a responsibility to demonstrate, calling to end immigration enforcement blitzes, the war with Iran and the rising cost of living.
One demonstrator in Minneapolis said the reason he went out today was simple: “Democracy is under threat.”
Tom Arndorfer, who held a sign reading “Elvis is the only king,” told CNN affiliate KARE, “It’s absolutely tragic what’s happening in this country and around the world. And I just want my voice to be heard with other people.”
In Chicago, veteran Chris Holy and his son, Nicholas, told CNN they’ve become so vexed with the Trump administration they felt compelled to protest for the first time.
“I see the injustices going on, in my opinion, what’s happening to the people in our nation, and I wanted to be here to voice my dissatisfaction with them,” Chris said.
In Manhattan, a protester named Yohanna told CNN, “There’s not enough room on the sign to say why” she’s protesting, adding, “If we want a democracy, we have to participate in it and we have to save it.”
Fedrick Ingram, secretary-treasurer for the American Federation of Teachers, told CNN the union had a presence in Portland, Oregon, to “make sure that we spread the word that we should be hopeful and not afraid.”
“We’ve had bad laws before and we’ve had bad politicians, and we’ve always been able to get ourselves out of that by sticking together,” Ingram said.
One Sacramento protester told CNN affiliate KCRA when the protests conclude, “Enough people will think about who they’re electing.”
CNN’s Zoe Sottile, Veronica Morales, Nic F. Anderson, Sophia Peyser, Donie O’Sullivan and Nina Giraldo contributed to this report.
Massive crowds show up for "No Kings" protest across US
Hundreds of thousands of protesters attended the "No Kings Day" rally against the Trump administration. Over 3,000 demonstrations took place across the country, marking the third ‘No Kings’ protest since President Trump took office last year.
Protesters rallied against the Trump administration on Saturday as more than 3,000 “No Kings” demonstrations took place across the US.
Inflatable costumes and anti-ICE posters dot massive "No Kings" crowd in LA
Classic salsa music reverberated through the streets flanking Los Angeles City Hall as demonstrators waved anti-war signs, donned inflatable animal costumes and marched to protest against President Donald Trump’s policies.
“It’s playful, it’s positive, it’s sending a good message, it’s nonviolent,” one demonstrator wearing a blow-up flamingo costume told CNN’s Julia Vargas Jones. Holding a sign reading “When hate is loud, love must be louder,” she said the protest marked a “opportunity to make a statement and respond with silliness to the silliness (the administration) is doing.”
Taco trucks and hot dog carts lined up as a salsa band performed near Gloria Molina Grand Park, where children danced and cheered despite the near 90 degree Los Angeles heat. Organizers were seen handing out water, though many protestors were spotted opting for the gelato and ice cream being sold by street vendors.
Anti-ICE signs dotted the crowd as Saturday’s “No Kings” demonstration came just months after aggressive immigration raids and the protests they sparked plagued Los Angeles last June.
A smaller group of protestors later gathered along Alameda Street outside of a federal building in downtown LA – a common site for anti-immigration protests in the city – where federal authorities deployed tear gas after demonstrators threw “large concrete blocks, bottles and other objects” over the property’s fence, the Los Angeles Police Department said on X. Multiple people were arrested for not leaving following a dispersal order, it said.
CNN has reached out to the Department of Homeland Security and the Los Angeles Police Department for comment.
WATCH: "No Kings" co-organizer talks about the impact of the nationwide rallies
Ezra Levin, co-founder of Indivisible, spoke with CNN’s Omar Jimenez about organizing the “No Kings” rallies to “be a place for everybody to come and exercise their rights as Americans in a patriotic and safe way.”
Almost half of "No Kings" protests took place in GOP strongholds, organizers say
“No Kings” protesters marched through suburbs, major cities and small towns across the US, carrying signs and showing off many inflatable costumes. Almost half of protests took place in GOP strongholds, according to event organizers.
Texas, Florida and Ohio each had over 100 events scheduled today, and states like Idaho, Wyoming and Utah had events in the double digits, organizers said. One of the most far-flung demonstrations took place in the Alaskan community of Kotzebue.
A litany of rural, red-leaning communities participated in the “No Kings” movement for the first time today, from Seward, Alaska, to East Glacier Park, Montana.
Here were some other red states that saw protests today:
- Texas: Protesters marched in Dallas, Arlington and Fort Worth, many listening to music, chanting and holding signs over their heads. CNN saw thousands gather near Dallas City Hall, where speakers denounced Trump administration policies from a stage. Officers detained one person in Dallas, according to the city’s police, although it is unclear why or whether they were a counterprotester.
- Georgia: Protesters lined the road leading into Jekyll Island on the state’s coast, waving American flags and carrying signs. The protest received mostly positive feedback.
- Florida: The crowd of “No Kings” protesters in Boynton Beach, Florida, was “very enthusiastic” and “for the most part pretty peaceful,” said the city’s vice mayor, Thomas Turkin. In neighboring city West Palm Beach, about 50 supporters of President Donald Trump engaged in verbal altercations with protesters, some flashing “Proud Boys” caps, T-shirts and flags.
CNN’s Rebekah Riess, Chris Youd, Elise Hammond, David Williams and Aditi Sangal contributed to this report.
Mother at Chicago rally recalls trying to flag down her daughter, who didn't realize it was her
Maria Isabel Trejo, a Chicago resident and mother, said she showed up to the “No Kings Day” demonstration in Chicago after she had a case of mistaken identity with her daughter in Portland.
Trejo said she saw her daughter, who lives in Portland, leaving a grocery store and attempted to chase her down, but it didn’t go as planned.
“She ran to her car, locked the doors, and displayed her American passport. She was shaking, she was crying. They, they would have grabbed her,” Trejo told CNN.
Rallies are underway nationwide. Get caught up here
Big crowds are marching against President Donald Trump and his policies today in “No Kings” protests taking place from coast to coast.
Here’s what you should know:
Minnesota protests: At a Minnesota rally in St. Paul, Gov. Tim Walz offered fierce criticism of Trump’s policies, particularly with regard to immigration enforcement. Sen. Bernie Sanders lauded the people of Minnesota at the rally and warned against what he called “an unprecedented and dangerous moment in American history.” Rock legend Bruce Springsteen called Minnesota “an inspiration to the entire country.” And in Minnesota, “we are built different,” proclaimed Rep. Ilhan Omar. Actress and progressive advocate Jane Fonda opted not to make a speech and instead read a statement from Becca Good, the wife of Renee Good.
West Coast demonstrations: Rallies on the West Coast are kicking up. As demonstrators gather and set up for the “No Kings” protest in downtown Los Angeles, a familiar face has been seen bobbing through the crowds: a giant blimp depicting Trump as a diaper-clad baby. Scores of protesters filed into San Francisco’s Embarcadero Plaza wielding American flags and “No Kings” signs.
New York marches: In Manhattan, “No Kings” protesters held anti-ICE, anti-Trump and anti-Iran war signs, chanting as they marched south from Midtown in New York City this afternoon. Amid flashing billboards and marching crowds in Times Square, progressive influencers Hasan Piker and Harry Sisson attended demonstrations.
Florida rallies: The crowd of “No Kings” protesters in Boynton Beach, Florida, was “very enthusiastic” and “for the most part pretty peaceful,” said the city’s vice mayor, Thomas Turkin.
CNN’s Zoe Sottile, Danya Gainor, Sophia Peyser, Donie O’Sullivan and Nina Giraldo contributed reporting.
In pictures: Demonstrations are taking place coast to coast
Huge marches wound their way through major cities while crowds gathered to sing, dance and wave signs in suburbs and small towns across red and blue states. A marquee event in Minnesota is in full swing, with Bruce Springsteen performing his new protest anthem. And West Coast rallies are picking up steam, including a massive march in San Francisco.
Huge crowds march to music in Portland, Oregon, waving flags and carrying signs
A massive crowd of protesters walked to a drum beat in Portland, Oregon, this afternoon, many holding signs. One said “No War,” and another read, “So bad, even introverts are here.” Inflatable costumes dotted the crowd with color, including three sharks with an “Abolish ICE” sign.
Fedrick Ingram, secretary treasurer for the American Federation of Teachers, told CNN the union was there to “make sure that we spread the word that we should be hopeful and not afraid.”
Ingram said people in power have to represent people all over the US, and “in Portland, people are hurting.”
Asked if he felt hopeful with the turnout, Ingram said, “I do, oh my gosh,” adding the protest gave him a renewed sense of faith in the country.
He added, “The way that we do that is to speak truth to power, get the right information and go to the ballot box.”
Large group of protesters clad in various costumes marches against Trump in Chicago
Swaths of people across a wide array of ages and backgrounds gathered in Chicago today to listen to speakers and music performances as part of the anti-Trump “No Kings” protests.
The large group is on the march in the same city that saw heightened tensions and protests against President Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown last year and earlier this year.
Demonstrators in Chicago cited dissatisfaction towards the Trump administration’s handling of the Epstein files and war as reasons that brought them out today.
“He’s just a terrible person and we need to get rid of him,” one protester in a costume, referring to Trump, told CNN’s Veronica Miracle.
Progressive social media influencers join “No Kings” protest in Manhattan
Amid flashing billboards and marching crowds in Times Square, progressive influencers Hasan Piker and Harry Sisson spoke with CNN at Saturday’s “No Kings” protest in Manhattan.
Piker, the provocative left-wing Twitch streamer making headlines for his loud criticism of the Israeli government, described the protest as a “good umbrella” under which people can advocate for various causes.
Piker also described his role within the Democratic party, saying despite headlines designating him an “issue” for Democrats, he believes he shares the same goals with most.
“I don’t want Republicans to win in this country,” Piker said. “We can argue on the methods — maybe you think that my worldview and my values and the policies that I want, the politicians to represent, might be different from yours — but at the end of the day, I think we have the same goals.”
Speaking about how Democrats can be successful with young people, Sisson said politicians have to do a better job of speaking about affordability and “shouldn’t come off as preachy or know-it-all.”
As "No Kings" protest in Los Angeles kicks off, a familiar Trump Baby blimp bobs in the crowd
As demonstrators gather and set up for the “No Kings” protest in downtown Los Angeles, a familiar face is seen bobbing through the crowds: a giant blimp depicting President Donald Trump as a diaper-clad baby.
The baby imagery has dogged the president for years, appearing during international visits over both of his terms and at protests, including the first “No Kings” iterations last year, symbolizing opposition to Trump’s administration.
At Gloria Molina Grand Park on Saturday, workers put a necklace made up of various LGBTQ+ pride flags on the 20-foot Baby Trump as they worked to patch up the blimp losing air from the LA heat.
“Baby Trump is literally falling apart at the seams,” J-roe, a Baby Trump tour organizer, told CNN’s Julia Vargas Jones. “I think Baby is feeling the heat – and not the heat of our sun today.”
The original blimp was created ahead of Trump’s first visit to the UK, where hundreds of thousands of Britons poured onto the country’s streets to protest his presence in the country. Several more, like the one in LA, were made and sent to the US, J-roe said.
“He’s been very good to us for a long time,” he said.
Among the various Trump imagery at the protest, CNN crews spotted one demonstrator wearing a Trump costume holding a bible upside down and a sign reading, “NAZIS LOVE ME!”
Jane Fonda reads statement from Renee Good's wife
Taking the stage at the “No Kings” rally at the Minnesota State Capitol, actress and progressive advocate Jane Fonda opted not to make a speech and instead read a statement from Becca Good, the wife of Renee Good.
“The reality is I am so heartbroken,” reads the statement from Becca Good, whose wife was fatally shot by an ICE agent in Minneapolis in January. “I miss my wife. “The world now knows that my wife sparkled with sunshine and shone with kindness that is unmatched.”
“Everyone who was there when my wife was taken from me has had their lives destroyed that day, including those agents,” the statement continues. “What we need is to stop destroying life.”
Becca Good’s statement said she and her wife, whom she called an “incredible human,” stood for “radical kindness.”
“What is happening now is the result of far deeper issues that have been simmering across this country for a long time: divisive rhetoric, escalating tensions, fear mongering,” she continued. “We have to address the root causes of these issues and stop this violence where it came from.”
Rep. Ilhan Omar proclaims, "We are Minnesota strong"
In Minnesota, “we are built different,” proclaimed Rep. Ilhan Omar at today’s rally at the State Capitol.
“We do not cower to bullies,” she said. “We are Minnesota strong.”
The Minnesota congresswoman told the story of her own arrival to the US as a refugee from Somalia.
“I could have never imagined the day would come when we were staring down at this kind of creeping authoritarianism in the United States of America, but we are here because Donald Trump has not just chipped away at our democracy,” she said. “He has taken a wrecking ball to the very foundation of what makes America great.”
The congresswoman, a frequent foil for Trump, criticized the war in Iran, as well as the US’s military operations in Venezuela and Ecuador.
“We are going to speak up,” she pledged. “We are going to continue to show up because we refuse to believe in a future ruled by fear, corruption and chaos.”
Sen. Bernie Sanders says Minnesota shows "what democracy is about"
Sen. Bernie Sanders lauded the people of Minnesota, speaking at a “No Kings” rally at the State Capitol in St. Paul today.
Sanders addressed the killings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti, whom he called “two brave Americans” who “lost their lives in the struggle.”
He warned of what he called “an unprecedented and dangerous moment in American history.”
“In many ways, the future of our country, and in fact, the entire world is hanging in the balance, and the actions that we take now will determine what the future looks like.”
Sanders expanded his scope beyond just criticizing Trump, taking aim at some of the country’s wealthiest people, too.
“Today, we not only say no to Trump’s authoritarianism,” he said. “We say no to Mr. Musk, no to Mr. Bezos and Mr. Zuckerberg and Mr. Ellison and all the other multibillionaires.”
The senator also called for an end to the US and Israel’s “unconstitutional” war with Iran, which he called a “violation of international law.”
“The American people were lied to about the war in Vietnam,” he said. “We were lied to about the war in Iraq, and we are being lied to today about the war in Iran.”
"Very enthusiastic" crowd protested in Boynton Beach, Florida, vice mayor said
The crowd of “No Kings” protesters in Boynton Beach, Florida, was “very enthusiastic” and “for the most part pretty peaceful,” said the city’s vice mayor, Thomas Turkin.
In neighboring city West Palm Beach today, about 50 supporters of President Donald Trump engaged in verbal altercations with protesters, some flashing “Proud Boys” caps, T-shirts and flags.
Those tensions did not spill over into Boynton Beach protests, Turkin told CNN’s Fredricka Whitfield.
“Anytime people want to come to an event here in the city, we really appreciate them spending their tax dollars here,” Turkin said.
Officers increased the amount of police patrol in Boynton Beach beforehand so protesters could “exercise their constitutional right for protest, but also to make sure that this doesn’t disrupt the everyday lives of people that live here,” Turkin said.
Bruce Springsteen calls Minnesota "an inspiration to the entire country"
Rock legend Bruce Springsteen called Minnesota “an inspiration to the entire country” at a “No Kings” rally at the state capitol in St. Paul.
“Your strength and your commitment told us that this is still America, and this reactionary nightmare and these invasions of American cities will not stand,” he said.
Springsteen also referenced the killings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti, both killed by federal immigration agents in Minneapolis in January.
“Their bravery, their sacrifice and their names will not be forgotten,” he said.
Springsteen, a vocal critic of President Donald Trump and his immigration policies, performed “Streets of Minneapolis,” a song he released in January dedicated to the city’s residents, and in memory of Pretti and Good.
The crowd chanted “ICE out now” along with Springsteen.
Marching and waving colorful signs, protesters in Manhattan condemn Trump
In Manhattan, “No Kings” protesters held anti-ICE, anti-Trump and anti-Iran war signs, chanting as they marched south from Midtown in New York City this afternoon.
A protester named Yohanna told CNN “there’s not enough room on the sign to say why” she’s protesting. She added, “If we want a democracy, we have to participate in it and we have to save it.”
Ginny, an 81-year-old demonstrator who started protesting over 50 years ago during the anti-Vietnam War movement, echoed Yohanna’s sentiment.
“I can’t express how much I hate Donald Trump,” she said. “I think he’s ruining our country.”
Reflecting on the differences between the Vietnam War era and present day, Ginny added she believes nothing compares to the state of the country today.
“We were suffering then,” she said. “But not like we are now.”
