Crowds of protesters gathered Saturday for "No Kings" rallies across the United States and in Europe, with Minnesota serving as the flagship demonstration against President Donald Trump's administration policies and the war in Iran.
Organizers designated the Minnesota Capitol rally as the national flagship event, in recognition of the state where federal agents fatally shot two people who were monitoring Trump's immigration crackdown. The demonstration featured thousands of people standing shoulder-to-shoulder on the Minnesota Capitol lawn and surrounding streets in St. Paul.
The event's headliner was Bruce Springsteen, who performed "Streets of Minneapolis" — a song he wrote in response to the fatal shootings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti by federal agents. Before performing, Springsteen addressed the crowd about the deaths and people's continued pushback against U.S. Customs and Immigration Enforcement.
"Your strength and your commitment told us that this was still America," Springsteen said. "And this reactionary nightmare, and these invasions of American cities, will not stand."
What the Right Is Saying
White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson characterized the protests as the product of "leftist funding networks" with little real public support.
The "only people who care about these Trump Derangement Therapy Sessions are the reporters who are paid to cover them," Jackson said in a statement.
The National Republican Congressional Committee was also sharply critical of the demonstrations. "These Hate America Rallies are where the far-left's most violent, deranged fantasies get a microphone," NRCC spokesperson Maureen O'Toole said.
What the Left Is Saying
Progressive organizers and their supporters framed the rallies as a defense of democracy against authoritarianism. Indivisible, a group spearheading the events, said more than 3,100 events were registered — 500 more than in October's demonstrations.
Organizers had estimated the first two rounds of No Kings rallies drew more than 5 million people in June and 7 million in October. They told reporters they expected 9 million participants Saturday, though it was too early to tell whether those expectations were met.
Actor Robert DeNiro appeared in a video played before Springsteen's performance, saying he wakes up every morning depressed because of Trump but was happier Saturday because millions of people were protesting. He congratulated Minnesota residents for running ICE out.
Donna Lieberman, executive director of the New York Civil Liberties Union, said during a news conference that Trump and his supporters want people to be afraid to protest. "They want us to be afraid that there's nothing we can do to stop them," she said. "But you know what? They are wrong — dead wrong."
Organizers noted that two-thirds of RSVPs came from outside major urban centers, including communities in conservative-leaning states like Idaho, Wyoming, Montana, Utah, South Dakota and Louisiana, as well as competitive suburban areas of Pennsylvania, Georgia and Arizona.
What the Numbers Show
Organizers reported more than 3,100 events registered for Saturday's rallies — 500 more than in October. Events took place in all 50 states.
Previous No Kings rallies drew an estimated 5 million participants in June and 7 million in October, according to U.S. organizers.
In New York City, with almost 8.5 million residents in a solidly blue state, demonstrations took place alongside smaller gatherings in places like Driggs, Idaho — a town of fewer than 2,000 people in a state Trump carried with 66% of the vote in 2024.
Police in San Diego estimated about 40,000 people marched in that city's No Kings event.
A June event on the Minnesota Capitol grounds drew an estimated 80,000 people; organizers expected 100,000 on Saturday.
The Bottom Line
The No Kings rallies represent the largest series of coordinated protests against the Trump administration to date, with participation extending beyond traditional Democratic strongholds into Republican-leaning areas. The inclusion of international demonstrations in countries including Italy, France and the United Kingdom reflects broader transnational opposition to Trump administration policies.
The protests addressed a lengthy list of grievances including the war in Iran, aggressive immigration enforcement and the rollback of transgender rights. European rallies also featured demonstrations against Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni's conservative government and in support of opposition to the Israeli and U.S. attacks on Iran.
Springsteen's Land of Hope & Dreams American Tour has a "No Kings" theme and kicks off Tuesday in Minneapolis, suggesting the movement plans continued visibility in the weeks ahead. Organizers will likely face questions about whether Saturday's turnout met their expectations as they plan future demonstrations.