White House Communications Director Steven Cheung criticized the leftist “No Kings” protests held Saturday, calling them a “complete and utter failure” due to low turnout, while President Donald Trump led a patriotic celebration marking the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army in Washington, D.C.
The day’s events, held on Flag Day and the president’s birthday, featured a military parade, musical performances, and fireworks. The celebration honored the Army’s founding in 1775 and highlighted the service and sacrifice of American soldiers throughout history.
Organizers of the “No Kings” protests intentionally avoided holding demonstrations in D.C., allegedly to keep the spotlight off the military event. Despite ambitions for a nationwide turnout, protest participation remained small and disjointed, according to administration officials.
“The so-called ‘No Kings’ protests have been a complete and utter failure with minuscule attendance,” Cheung said. “It is sad Democrats and liberals would rather support criminals and illegals instead of celebrating the 250th anniversary of our great U.S. Army and Flag Day.”
The anti-Trump protests coincided with recent left-wing attempts to obstruct Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids in Los Angeles. Those attempts escalated into violent riots, with protestors targeting law enforcement officers.
In a show of contrast, Trump’s parade in Washington drew large crowds and featured tributes to veterans, active-duty personnel, and Gold Star families. The White House released a video montage highlighting key moments from the celebration, including a grand fireworks finale it described as “glorious.”
Support for the event also came from across the aisle. Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA) praised the military parade, stating, “This parade is comprised of our sons, daughters, mothers and fathers — the very best of us. Regardless of your politics, it’s appropriate to celebrate the 250 years of sacrifice, dedication, and service.”
Meanwhile, the credibility of the “No Kings” movement took a blow after a suspect involved in the assassination of Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman and the shooting of a state senator was found in possession of “No Kings” flyers. The connection raised concerns about the radicalization of leftist protest groups and the potential for political violence.
T-shirts promoting the protests were reportedly sold by Temu and Amazon, with slogans like “No Kings in America” and “No Kings, No Fascists, No Tyrants, No Nazis,” further highlighting the ideological divide around the demonstrations.
