Approximately 2,000 communities across the country saw people gather for the “No Kings” protests against President Donald Trump on June 14.
The protests took place on Trump’s 79th birthday and the day of a military parade in Washington, D.C., for the Army’s 250th anniversary.
Organizers said they were demonstrating against what they see as a power grab by Trump and his administration. The protests and marches were largely peaceful, but at least one was met with violence in Virginia, where police say a man intentionally drove an SUV into a crowd.
Trump applauded his Army parade, but what did he say about the protests?
Did Donald Trump post about the ‘No Kings’ protests?
Trump did not post about the protests on his social media site Truth Social.
But the White House did weigh in on the protests in a statement on X.
“The so-called No Kings protests have been a complete and utter failure with minuscule attendance. It is sad Democrats and liberals would rather support criminals and illegals instead of celebrating the 250th anniversary of our great U.S. Army and Flag Day,” communications director Steven Cheung wrote. “But many more Americans are commemorating our brave military men and women who have given the ultimate sacrifice and who those continue to serve our country.”
‘No Kings’ organizer estimates 5 million participants nationwide
The American Civil Liberties Union, one of the co-organizers of the protests, estimated that more than 5 million people participated in about 2,100 demonstrations across the U.S.
“(Saturday’s) protests are a resounding message that people across the nation will not be intimidated by President Trump’s fear tactics. Americans are brave, democracy loving people and will not sit idly by as the Trump administration feeds our Constitution into the shredder — nor will the ACLU,” ACLU chief political and advocacy officer Deirdre Schifeling said in a press release on June 14.
In West Palm Beach, more than 1,000 people gathered at Phipps Park and marched toward the “Winter White House” at Mar-a-Lago. They were stopped by police at the end of the Southern Boulevard bridge, and they turned back to the Meyer Amphitheatre lawn for a rally.
Contributing: James Powell, Valentina Palm, Hannah Phillips, Sarah D. Wire, Jonathan Limehouse, USA TODAY Network
Kinsey Crowley is the Trump Connect reporter for the USA TODAY Network. Reach her at kcrowley@gannett.com. Follow her on X and TikTok @kinseycrowley or Bluesky at @kinseycrowley.bsky.social.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: ‘Complete and utter failure:’ White House weighs in on ‘No Kings’ anti-Trump protests
Reporting by Kinsey Crowley, USA TODAY NETWORK / Palm Beach Post
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
