In recent weeks, millions of Americans have taken to the streets in what organizers call the “No Kings” protests, a nationwide movement decrying President Donald Trump’s policies as an authoritarian power grab. These rallies, held on October 18, 2025, and beyond, position themselves as a stand against tyranny, with crowds chanting for democracy and insisting that no one—not even the president—should act like a king. On the surface, it’s a noble cause: upholding the rule of law and checks and balances. But dig a little deeper, and the hypocrisy becomes glaring. The same voices railing against “kings” have a history of cheering executive overreach when it suits their side, and worse, they’ve laced their opposition with violent rhetoric that borders on calls to assassinate the president.
Executive Overreach: Pot, Meet Kettle
The core message of the “No Kings” movement is that Trump’s actions represent an unchecked expansion of presidential power, drifting the country toward dictatorship. Yet, this selective outrage ignores decades of Democratic presidents doing exactly that—bypassing Congress to push their agendas through executive fiat.
Take Barack Obama, for instance. In 2014, frustrated with congressional gridlock, Obama famously declared, “I’ve got a pen, and I’ve got a phone,” signaling his intent to use executive orders and administrative actions to sidestep lawmakers. He wasn’t shy about it: “I can use that pen to sign executive orders and take executive actions and administrative actions that move the ball forward.” This “pen and phone” strategy led to initiatives like the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, which granted work permits and deportation relief to undocumented immigrants without congressional approval. Critics at the time called it executive overreach, but “No Kings” supporters hailed it as bold leadership.
Fast forward to Joe Biden, whose administration racked up its own list of unilateral moves. Biden’s attempt to “cancel” billions in student loan debt for millions of borrowers was a prime example of governing like a king—waving away debt with the stroke of a pen, despite lacking clear congressional authority. The Supreme Court struck it down, but not before it highlighted the pattern. Other instances include vaccine mandates imposed on private employers through the Department of Labor, energy policies that halted drilling leases, and immigration reforms that effectively rewrote laws without a vote in Congress. If Trump’s actions make him a “king,” then Obama and Biden were emperors in waiting. The “No Kings” crowd’s silence on these speaks volumes—hypocrisy at its finest.
Violent Rhetoric: From “Non-Violent” Protests to Assassination Fantasies
The “No Kings” organizers emphasize non-violence as a core principle, urging participants to de-escalate and avoid confrontation. But this commitment rings hollow when you examine the inflammatory language from prominent Democrats, celebrities, and left-wing figures who’ve fueled the anti-Trump fire. Far from peaceful discourse, their words have often veered into explicit calls for violence, including fantasies about killing the president.
Consider the celebrities who’ve crossed the line. Actor Johnny Depp mused publicly, “When was the last time an actor assassinated a president?”—a not-so-subtle reference to John Wilkes Booth and Abraham Lincoln. Pop icon Madonna admitted she’d “thought an awful lot about blowing up the White House” during Trump’s first term. Comedian Kathy Griffin posed for photos holding a fake, bloodied severed head resembling Trump, sparking widespread outrage but also applause from some quarters. Robert De Niro repeatedly said he wanted to “punch [Trump] in the face,” while Snoop Dogg released a music video depicting him pointing a gun at a clown version of the president.
It’s not just Hollywood. Political figures have amped up the rhetoric too. President Biden himself said to “put Trump in the bullseye” just days before an assassination attempt on the former president. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries called for people to “fight” Trump’s agenda “in the streets.” Comparisons to Hitler and the Gestapo have become commonplace, with figures like Minnesota Governor Tim Walz labeling ICE (a Trump-era enforcement arm) as the “modern-day Gestapo.” Such language doesn’t just demonize—it incites. Reports show a surge in political violence linked to this heated talk, yet “No Kings” protesters march on, pretending their side is above it all.
Why the Double Standard Matters
The “No Kings” rallies aren’t just protests—they’re a mirror reflecting the left’s selective principles. When Democrats wield executive power like a scepter, it’s “progress.” When Trump does it, it’s tyranny. And while they wave signs for peace, their icons and leaders spout rhetoric that normalizes violence against political opponents. This isn’t about defending Trump; it’s about calling out the blatant double standard that undermines real democratic discourse.
If the movement truly wants no kings, they should start by holding their own accountable. Until then, these rallies look less like a fight for democracy and more like partisan theater.
