Staff Reports
Over the weekend, the “No Kings” protests flooded the streets with thousands of voices raised against President Trump. To the casual observer—or anyone with a TV or a newspaper—these gatherings seemed as peaceful as a Sunday school picnic. But, therein lies the irony. Their very presence on the streets, airing their grievances freely, was the clearest evidence that there is no king in America. Despite their fears of monarchy, the grant they exercise to voice those fears disproves their own point. Maybe they need a lesson in civics, starting with the difference between democratic elections and hereditary rule.
The folks at MSNBC were busy painting the protests as an inspiring scene of joy, solidarity, and a bright beacon of civic unity. Overwhelmingly peaceful, they said. Yet, it wasn’t all kumbaya and cozy chants. Sure, many marched through the streets of America holding signs aimed at ensuring “no king,” conveniently forgetting that President Trump was democratically re-elected. The protests were devoid of the oppressive imagery they might think they’re rebelling against, no secret police or ominous snipers—just plain ol’ Americans exercising their right to free speech, the very thing they claim is under threat.
Backstage, there’s a glaring juxtaposition of attitudes. It seems that some self-proclaimed champions of tolerance wore their “No Kings” badges proudly, only to reveal a disturbing penchant for incivility. Among those thousands stood individuals displaying bullet-in-the-neck gestures and signs that were far from the squeaky-clean image they presented at the front. Calling for violence against I.C.E. agents, equating them with some kind of foreign oppressors—is this their version of peaceful resistance? Perhaps the party of tolerance should reconsider what it tolerates.
And so while the nation watched these street performances, there was our President, avoiding crowns and embracing aprons at local fast food joints. Critics might scoff, but there’s something endearingly authentic about a leader who rolls up his sleeves and serves burgers, rather than sitting on an imaginary throne. Meanwhile, over at “No Kings,” it wasn’t just peculiar displays catching the spotlight. There were overt cries for actions so divorced from civility that a circus seemed tame. Yet amidst their chants and dance interludes, they might forget that tyranny is not found in the ballot boxes checked by voters.
The unusual allies at the protest stages included figures like Mehdi Hasan, who proudly identifies everything President Trump allegedly despises. His presence alongside senators and other political figures suggests a bizarre alliance. A melting pot of grievances stood united, if only in their opposition. The humorous theater from the “No Kings” protest serves as a reminder: those who cry tyranny might need to revise their script before claiming their brief spotlight fame. After all, the scene they create often undermines the message they hope to deliver, leaving America to question who’s really wearing the crown of irony.
