USA: 'No Kings' protests against Trump – thousands take to the streets

These are scenes you don't forget in a hurry. From the East Coast to California, people are back on the streets, and this time the chants are louder, the signs more provocative. The 'No Kings' protests against Donald Trump have gathered such momentum in recent days that even veteran observers of American politics have been taken aback. This is no longer just the classic resistance seen in big cities; unrest is spreading across the country.

I get the feeling something different is brewing compared to his first term. Between 2015 and 2017, demonstrations were often a spontaneous reaction to surprise decrees. This time, it's different. There's a structure, a historical depth that harks back to the great civil rights movements. One name that keeps coming up in these circles is that of historian Ta-Nehisi Coates. His book 'We Were Eight Years in Power: An American Tragedy' has become something of a bible within these groups. It encapsulates what many fear: that the fight for democracy is never truly over, and that the gains of the past – especially the Obama years – can crumble faster than we'd like.

From Iran war to the Constitution: the many faces of protest

What fascinates me most about these protests since 2024 is the sheer range of reasons driving people onto the streets. It's no longer just one single outrage, but a mix of deep-seated concern and sheer anger. Talking to people in Washington, they're united in their view that the protests against Donald Trump this time have become a rallying point for everyone who feels American democracy is heading into a dangerous tilt.

• Concern over the separation of powers: The 'No Kings' slogan is no longer just about specific laws; it's about the fundamental question of whether the US is heading in an authoritarian direction. The judiciary is under attack, and Congress often seems to be just a spectator.
• Foreign policy as a flashpoint: The anxiety surrounding the Iran war isn't just a matter of international diplomacy. For many here, it's proof that the executive branch is making decisions of historic consequence without the backing of the people. It's a frightening prospect.
• Economic uncertainty: Forget the charts and stock market numbers. In states where industry is struggling, and among young people who can no longer afford a home, the feeling is growing that politics only works for its own donors.

Just think about it: you've got people demonstrating against foreign policy in the Middle East, while right next to them someone is holding up a sign quoting the Constitution. And all of it under the common banner that democracy isn't the property of any one person. I've been to some of these marches myself, and the energy is infectious – but also unsettling.

A movement without a master plan?

The big question, of course, remains: where is this all heading? Some warn of a division that will drive the country even deeper into the trenches. Others see it as the last gasp of civil society before it's too late. I remember the protests of 2016 well, when many thought it was just a temporary bout of discontent. Today, I know: the protests against Donald Trump since 2024 are a different beast altogether. They are more organised, more widespread and – crucially – they have a narrative backbone.

It's this mix of historical reflection, like Coates does in his book, and the current anger over political decisions. On trains to Washington or in coffee shops in Portland, the talk isn't just about the latest headline, but about how to keep a democracy 'repairable'. That's what makes this movement so powerful and, at the same time, so unpredictable for the establishment in Washington.