Staff Reports
It seems like not everyone is excited about the festivities that took place in Manhattan over the weekend. The so-called “No Kings Day” rally, aimed at opposing President Donald Trump, had our team chuckling from start to finish. The sheer enthusiasm displayed by the attendees was almost as commendable as their grasp on political terminology, which was, in a word, inspired.
The event was filled with fiery chants and animated hand gestures, with participants determined to convey their distaste for Trump. It’s clear that the rhetoric of “no kings in the USA” is less about constitutional literacy and more about the pageantry of protest. Attendees were adamant that Donald Trump was vying for some kind of monarchy, conveniently overlooking the fact that not only has he vacated the office, but he’s also actively participating in the democratic process by running for president again. But don’t confuse them with the facts!
When pressed for specifics, attendees found themselves in a bit of a quagmire. “Impeachment” was thrown around as if it were a universal solvent for all political woes. Lamentably, the process and its requirements seemed to have been left out of the “No Kings Day” handbook. Asked to identify what actions Trump took that were unconstitutional, they might have insinuated an answer inspired by recent bestsellers or social media threads, detailing a list of 30 questionable actions—most of which remained elusive upon further inquiry.
The discussion only spiraled further when someone suggested Trump had somehow usurped political norms by putting “ice in our cities.” How this refrigerant conspiracy connects to President Trump’s perceived monarchy is anyone’s guess. Yet, the crowd’s creativity in stringing non-sequiturs together had to be admired. Who knew the battle against tyranny would involve preventing ice trafficking?
Midterm election predictions were equally muddled. Those convinced that Trump would somehow cling onto power in a fascistic grip were left pondering why elections would happen at all, if only to contradict their own hyperbolic arguments. Irony is evidently alive and well in such rallies, alongside their claims of unending Trump tyranny during a period where elections are still a critical part of civic life.
Overall, the rally was a fascinating display of modern activism, a spectacle where passion was abundant, even as solid arguments were found wanting. As futile as the search for cogent commentary was, it’s heartening to see civic engagement, even when it’s comedic. Here’s hoping next time, the rally-goers brush up a bit on their civics before telling tales of queens, kings, and magical ice. Until then, they might need to think about updating their playbook from a different, perhaps more informative source than the myth of “No Kings Day.”
