Donald Trump Faces 'No Kings' Backlash Over Executive Power

President Donald Trump launched celebrations for the 250th anniversary of the United States' liberation from monarchy with a campaign-style rally on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. Since returning to office in January 2025, Trump has adopted a maximalist approach to executive power, appointing personal lawyers Todd Blanche and D. John Sauer to high-ranking roles in the Department of Justice. He has directed the agency to prosecute political rivals, including James Comey and California Governor Gavin Newsom, while maintaining a ban on IRS audits of himself.

Trump has further expanded his authority by deploying U.S. Marines to Los Angeles and Minneapolis, where federal officers fatally shot two protesters during immigration crackdowns. He has also faced criticism for using the presidency for personal profit, including launching cryptocurrency ventures and hosting a UFC event on the White House lawn for his 80th birthday to promote his business interests. Trump denies being a dictator or a king, asserting that he uses the office properly according to his election.

While the Supreme Court of the United States has granted the president broad immunity from prosecution, the court has also limited his power by striking down global tariffs and protecting the tenure of Federal Reserve governor Lisa Cook. These developments have fueled a resistance movement under the slogan No Kings, with critics arguing that the administration's actions mirror the tyranny the nation originally rebelled against.