Democratic lawmakers who have accused President Donald Trump of acting like a "king" faced criticism Tuesday after several were seen warmly applauding King Charles III during his historic address to a joint session of Congress.
The moment drew immediate mockery from Republicans, who pointed to what they described as hypocrisy given the months of "No Kings" protests that Democratic lawmakers had encouraged or joined in opposition to Trump's administration.
What the Left Is Saying
Democratic defenders argued the situations were not comparable. The "No Kings" movement, which emerged around Presidents Day 2025 as backlash to Trump's Department of Government Efficiency efforts and broader attempts to shrink the federal government, was focused on executive overreach domestically, supporters said, not on diplomatic protocol during official state visits.
Rep. Ilhan Omar of Minnesota, who was photographed smiling and taking photos of King Charles during his address, had previously posted about attending "No Kings" rallies in her home state. Her office did not respond to requests for comment from Fox News Digital on the apparent contradiction critics identified.
Other Democratic lawmakers noted that applauding a visiting head of state during an official address is standard diplomatic protocol, regardless of political disagreements with that nation's policies or governance structure. The King holds a ceremonial role in the British constitutional system, they argued, fundamentally different from assertions of executive power that protesters have challenged at home.
The "No Kings" movement gained national attention in June 2025 when Trump's military parade celebrating the Army's 250th anniversary became a focal point for demonstrators who said they were defending democratic norms against monarchical behavior in the White House.
What the Right Is Saying
Republicans quickly seized on the images of top Democrats standing and applauding King Charles III, with some posting footage that went viral across social media platforms.
"Quite the confusing scene on the House floor today. Many of Congressman Hamadeh's Democratic colleagues, who have spent months chanting 'No Kings,' just gave one a standing ovation," Arizona Republican Rep. Abe Hamadeh's office posted to X.
Florida Republican Rep. Randy Fine wrote: "I'm hearing no Democrats plan to attend King Charles' speech because 'No Kings.' They'd never be gaslighters."
The official White House X account amplified the criticism, posting a photo of Trump with Charles captioned simply: "TWO KINGS."
Conservative commentator Steve Guest asked on X: "NO KINGS! Am I doing it right, Democrats?"
Brian Brenberg, co-host of "The Big Money Show," wrote: "Seems kind of embarrassing for an actual King to get cheered by No Kings people."
Actor Tim Allen posted a photo of Charles presiding over the House chamber alongside Vice President JD Vance and House Speaker Mike Johnson at the podium. "Would have been funny to see the facial reactions of an actual King with a no Kings parade yelling at him," Allen wrote.
What the Numbers Show
King Charles III became only the second British monarch to address a joint meeting of Congress, following Queen Elizabeth II in 1991. His address marked a significant diplomatic moment between the United States and its closest ally.
The "No Kings" movement began on Presidents Day, February 17, 2025, as protests erupted over Trump's DOGE initiatives. The movement drew thousands of participants at rallies across multiple cities, with organizers framing their demonstrations as defense of constitutional separation of powers.
Videos showing former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Sen. Cory Booker among those rising for applause accumulated millions of views on social media platforms within hours of Tuesday's address.
The Bottom Line
The episode illustrates the political challenges that can arise when protest movements meet diplomatic realities. Republicans successfully framed the moment as evidence of inconsistency in Democratic critiques of executive power, while Democrats argued that welcoming a ceremonial head of state under official protocol differs fundamentally from concerns about domestic governance.
King Charles and Queen Camilla concluded their U.S. visit Wednesday, returning to the United Kingdom after a trip that also included meetings at the White House marking 250 years since American independence from the British Crown.
The "No Kings" movement shows no signs of abating, with organizers promising continued protests as Trump pursues his domestic agenda.