As 'No Kings 2' Looms, a Nation Grapples with Its Democratic Soul

A burgeoning movement prepares for a second wave of nationwide demonstrations on October 18, 2025, framed as a fight for the core principles of American democracy.

Following a summer of widespread demonstrations, a second wave of protests, dubbed “No Kings 2,” is slated to take place on Saturday, October 18, 2025, in cities and towns across the United States.[1][2][3][4] Organizers, a coalition of groups including Indivisible, say the protests are a non-violent response to what they describe as a rising tide of authoritarianism and a systematic erosion of democratic norms.[1][5][6][7] The movement has crystallized around a series of stark contrasts: prosecution versus persecution, autonomy versus autocracy, and the constitution versus corruption.

The initial “No Kings” protests on June 14, 2025, saw millions of people in over 2,100 locations voice their opposition to the second presidency of Donald Trump, his policies, and what they term “democratic backsliding.”[5][8][9] The upcoming “No Kings 2” demonstrations are expected to be even larger, with organizers pointing to an “authoritarian power grab” as the impetus for the continued mobilization.[1][3][6] At the heart of the movement’s agenda is a set of sweeping proposals aimed at restoring what they see as the foundational pillars of the republic.

The Core Tenets of a Movement

At the forefront of the protesters’ concerns is the distinction between prosecution and persecution. Legal scholars and civil liberties advocates have raised alarms about the potential for the justice system to be wielded as a political weapon. The principle of due process, enshrined in the Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments of the Constitution, guarantees that no one shall be “deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law.”[10][11][12][13] This includes the right to be notified of charges, the opportunity to be heard in a fair and impartial tribunal, and protection from arbitrary government action.[11][12][14] Protesters argue that a failure to uphold these principles risks turning the legal system into a tool of persecution, targeting political opponents and stifling dissent.

The struggle between autonomy and autocracy forms another central theme of the “No Kings” movement. Concerns have been raised about the expansion of executive power and a perceived disregard for the separation of powers established by the Constitution.[15][16][17] This system of checks and balances was designed to prevent any one branch of government from becoming too powerful.[16][17] Protesters point to the domestic deployment of military personnel as a particularly alarming development, citing the Posse Comitatus Act which generally prohibits the use of the military for civilian law enforcement.[18][19][20][21] Legal experts note that while there are exceptions, the increasing use of military forces on American streets is a departure from historical norms.[18][21][22]

Finally, the movement highlights the battle between the Constitution and corruption. The framers of the Constitution were deeply concerned with the potential for corruption to undermine the new republic.[23][24][25] Protesters argue that a series of actions and policies have opened the door to undue influence and private gain at the public’s expense. The “One Big Beautiful Bill,” signed into law on July 4, 2025, has been a particular point of contention.[26] While proponents claim it delivers tax cuts to working-class families, the Congressional Budget Office estimates it will increase the budget deficit by $2.8 trillion by 2034 and lead to millions losing health insurance coverage.[26][27] Critics also point to the bill’s provisions that they say favor the wealthy and corporations, exacerbating economic inequality.[26][28][29][30]

A Roadmap for Restoration

The “No Kings 2” movement is not only defined by its opposition but also by its concrete proposals for reform. These include:

• Removing President Trump from office: Calls for the President’s removal, either through impeachment or the 25th Amendment, have grown louder, with some lawmakers and public figures expressing concerns about his fitness for office.[31][32][33][34][35]

• Restoring the military to its rightful role: There is a demand to end the deployment of military personnel on American streets for domestic law enforcement, adhering to the principles of the Posse Comitatus Act.[18][19][20]

• Enforcing due process: The movement insists on the strict application of due process in all arrests and detentions, ensuring that individuals’ constitutional rights are protected.[10][11][14]

• Repealing the “Big, Beautiful Bill”: Protesters are calling for the repeal of the recent financial legislation and a restoration of what they see as fiscal integrity to the U.S. Treasury.[26][28][29]

• Reversing all gerrymandering: The practice of drawing electoral districts to favor one political party is seen as a fundamental corruption of the democratic process.[36][37][38][39][40] Reform efforts are underway in several states to create more equitable and representative districts.[36]

• Removing co-conspirators and enablers: The movement demands accountability for all officials who have enabled what they view as an assault on democratic institutions.

• Restricting Presidential power: Protesters are advocating for new laws to curtail presidential authority and restore the balance between the executive, legislative, and judicial branches of government.[15][41][42]

As October 18 approaches, the “No Kings 2” protests are poised to be a significant moment in a deeply divided nation. The outcome of this civic engagement will undoubtedly have a profound impact on the future trajectory of American democracy.

Find a No Kings 2 protest that you can attend on October 18, 2025:

https://www.nokings.org/#map

References:

1. Mobilize. (2025, October 18). NO KINGS 2. Mobilize. https://www.mobilize.us/mobilize/event/835377/

2. My Edmonds News. (2025, October 10). ‘No Kings II’ rally set for Edmonds City Park Oct. 18. My Edmonds News. https://myedmondsnews.com/2025/10/no-kings-ii-rally-set-for-edmonds-city-park-oct-18/

3. Miami Herald. (2025, October 18). No Kings protests return to South Florida cities Oct. 18. Miami Herald. https://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/article312469122.html

4. Georgia Public Broadcasting. (2025, October 10). New wave of ‘No Kings’ Trump protests planned across GA soon: Here’s when & where. GPB News. https://www.gpb.org/news/2025/10/10/new-wave-of-no-kings-trump-protests-planned-across-ga-soon-heres-when-where

5. Wikipedia contributors. (2025, October 12). No Kings protests. In Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/No_Kings_protests

6. No Kings Organization. (n.d.). No Kings.

https://www.nokings.org/

1. Mobilize. (2025, October 18). NO KINGS in Washington, D.C. Mobilize. https://www.mobilize.us/nokings/event/838822/

2. Encyclopaedia Britannica. (n.d.). No Kings protests. In Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/event/No-Kings-protests

3. The Guardian. (2025, June 14). Millions across US turn out for ‘No Kings’ protests against Donald Trump. The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/jun/14/no-kings-protests-trump-military-parade

4. Legal Information Institute. (n.d.). Due process. Cornell Law School. https://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/due_process

5. Wikipedia contributors. (2025, October 12). Due process. In Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Due_process

6. Wikipedia contributors. (2025, October 12). Due Process Clause. In Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Due_Process_Clause

7. Library of Congress. (n.d.). Due process generally. In Constitution Annotated. Congress.gov. https://constitution.congress.gov/browse/essay/amdt14-S1-3/ALDE_00013743/

8. American Civil Liberties Union. (2018, June 1). What is due process? ACLU. https://www.aclu.org/news/civil-liberties/what-is-due-process

9. Brennan Center for Justice. (n.d.). Executive power. Brennan Center for Justice. https://www.brennancenter.org/issues/bolster-checks-balances/executive-power

10. U.S. Government Publishing Office. (n.d.). Checks and balances. Ben’s Guide. https://bensguide.gpo.gov/j-check-balance

11. USA.gov. (n.d.). Branches of the U.S. government. USA.gov. https://www.usa.gov/branches-of-government

12. Brennan Center for Justice. (n.d.). Domestic deployment of the military. Brennan Center for Justice. https://www.brennancenter.org/issues/bolster-checks-balances/executive-power/domestic-deployment-military

13. Roger Williams University. (2020, June 5). Is it legal for Trump to send troops into US cities? Roger Williams University. https://www.rwu.edu/news/news-archive/it-legal-trump-send-troops-us-cities

14. Protect Democracy. (2020, June 8). The Insurrection Act and National Guard authorities, explained. Protect Democracy. https://protectdemocracy.org/work/domestic-deployment-military-explained/

15. Lawfare. (2020, June 9). The real legal limits on domestic military deployments. Lawfare. https://www.lawfaremedia.org/article/the-real-legal-limits-on-domestic-military-deployments

16. Center for American Progress. (2020, June 10). Domestic deployment of the military: The past, present, and potential future. Center for American Progress. https://www.americanprogress.org/article/domestic-deployment-of-the-military-the-past-present-and-potential-future/

17. Morrissey, W. (2010, July 1). Corruption and the Constitution: Principle of constitutional law and a foundation of a virtuous and moral people. Constituting America. https://constitutingamerica.org/90day-fp-corruption-and-the-constitution-principle-of-constitutional-law-and-a-foundation-of-a-virtuous-and-moral-people-guest-essayist-will-morrisey/

18. Teachout, Z. (2010). Constitutional purpose and the anti-corruption principle. Northwestern University Law Review Online, 108(1), 200–218. https://scholarlycommons.law.northwestern.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1024&context=nulr_online

19. Racine, P., & Wilkins, J. (2019). The hidden law of politics: A critique of gerrymandering jurisprudence. Harvard Law & Policy Review, 13(2), 335–360. https://journals.law.harvard.edu/lpr/wp-content/uploads/sites/89/2019/07/Racine-Wilkins.pdf

20. Wikipedia contributors. (2025, October 12). One Big Beautiful Bill Act. In Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/One_Big_Beautiful_Bill_Act

21. U.S. House Committee on Ways and Means. (2025, July 5). The One, Big, Beautiful Bill delivers biggest wins for the working class. Ways and Means. https://waysandmeans.house.gov/theonebigbeautifulbill/fact-sheets/the-one-big-beautiful-bill-delivers-biggest-wins-for-the-working-class/

22. Schnurer, E. B. (2025, October 2). The dramatic downstream effects of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. Governing. https://www.governing.com/management-and-administration/the-dramatic-downstream-effects-of-the-one-big-beautiful-bill-act

23. Lautz, A. (2025, July 23). What does the One Big Beautiful Bill cost? Bipartisan Policy Center. https://bipartisanpolicy.org/explainer/what-does-the-one-big-beautiful-bill-cost/

24. Bunn, D., Muresianu, A., & McBride, W. (2025, July 9). One Big Beautiful Bill: Pros & cons: The good, bad, and the ugly. Tax Foundation. https://taxfoundation.org/blog/one-big-beautiful-bill-pros-cons/

25. PBS NewsHour. (2021, January 7). Calls to remove Trump from office grow louder. PBS. https://ket.org/program/pbs-newshour/calls-to-remove-trump-from-office-grow-louder/

26. AFL-CIO. (2021, January 8). AFL-CIO General Board calls on Donald Trump to resign or be removed from office. AFL-CIO. https://aflcio.org/press/releases/afl-cio-general-board-calls-donald-trump-resign-or-be-removed-office

27. The Independent. (2025, October 9). Democrats call for Trump to be removed under the 25th Amendment after military threats to US cities. But can he be? The Independent. https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/trump-25th-amendment-military-threats-health-dementia-b2838126.html

28. Biswas, S. (2025, October 9). Donald Trump removal from office: Is Trump at risk of removal? White House under pressure to invoke 25th Amendment. The Economic Times. https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/international/us/is-trump-at-risk-of-removal-white-house-under-pressure-to-invoke-25th-amendment/articleshow/124398328.cms

29. Common Dreams. (2025, October 9). Pritzker praised for call to oust Trump via 25th Amendment after threatening US cities. Common Dreams. https://www.commondreams.org/news/pritzker-trump-25th-amendment

30. Wikipedia contributors. (2025, October 12). Gerrymandering in the United States. In Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gerrymandering_in_the_United_States

31. Schneer, B., & Palmer, M. (2025, August 14). How to fix America’s gerrymandering problem. TIME. https://time.com/7309565/americas-gerrym

38. Indivisible. (n.d.). Fighting gerrymandering in the states. Indivisible. https://indivisible.org/resource/fighting-gerrymandering-states

39. Campaign Legal Center. (2021, March 25). How can we combat gerrymandering? Campaign Legal Center. https://campaignlegal.org/update/how-can-we-combat-gerrymandering

40. Brennan Center for Justice. (n.d.). Gerrymandering & fair representation. Brennan Center for Justice. https://www.brennancenter.org/issues/gerrymandering-fair-representation

41. Wikipedia contributors. (2025, October 12). Presidential system. In Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Presidential_system

42. National Paralegal College. (n.d.). Checks and balances. National Paralegal College. https://www.nationalparalegal.edu/ChecksAndBalances.aspx