Below is my column in the Hill on resumption of the claims that “democracy is dying” as part of the “No Kings” protests. When this column posted, I was inundated with the usual threats and profanity. However, the emails and messages were particularly vehement this week. (One on Father’s Day explained that when a bullet is put in my head, my children would celebrate). For self-professed champions of democracy, there is nothing more deflating and demoralizing than being told that democracy is not dying. “No Kings” is the ultimate virtue signal, but it requires a monarch to make the self-image complete. There are obviously important issues to debate and to protest. However, we can have that debate without the absurd claims that our constitutional system is failing, as claimed by many politicians and pundits.
Here is the column:
Across the nation today, thousands of protests are being organized by left-wing groups, unions, and other organizations, with chants of “No Kings, No Kings, No Kings.” The mantra is a calculated campaign to cement the notion that Donald Trump has assumed dictatorial powers.
It is a curious campaign, since every indication is that our constitutional system is operating precisely as designed.
Courts have ruled both in favor of and against the Trump administration. Congress has held hearings and passed legislation on various issues. We have the oldest and most stable constitutional system in the history of the world. The Constitution is not only designed for times like these — it was written in a time like this.
The superficial appeal of such campaigns is evident in the triggering event that sparked the protests. The Trump administration is holding a parade to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the United States Army — the kind of celebration that is common among our closest allies, from France to Great Britain.
Since this anniversary coincides with Trump’s birthday, it is claimed that it is nothing more than a royal birthday bash, even though Trump has been calling for such military parades since his first term.
The well-funded protests are being fueled by Democratic leaders, who are resuming their claims that citizens must either protest this weekend or accept tyranny in the United States. Rep. Eric Swalwell (D., Calif.) went so far as to declare, “If we don’t show up, Democracy dies.”
The Democrats seem to believe that the “death of democracy” theme that failed spectacularly in the last election can now rescue their party from record-low polling. In Chicago, Mayor Brandon Johnson (who is at 6 percent popularity with his constituents) announced, “I am counting on all of Chicago to resist in this moment.”
Even some judges appear to have picked up on the mantra. Before issuing his order to stop Trump’s use of the National Guard in Los Angeles this week, District Court Judge Charles Breyer declared in open court that Trump was another “King George.”
He then wrote an opinion that included in it many Democratic talking points — suggesting, for example, that Trump was creating disorder by calling out the National Guard to deal with disorder. Breyer further indicated that the violence in Los Angeles was relatively minor, despite potentially deadly attacks on law enforcement, arson, and looting.
Many of us have noted that there are good-faith arguments on both sides of this issue. However, since the Madison Administration, the Supreme Court has warned lower courts not to second-guess the basis for deployments. Rather than confine himself to the relative authority of the federal and state governments on ordering deployments, Judge Breyer eagerly entered the political fray on these collateral issues.
The impression is that Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) had Breyer at hello.
The “No Kings” mantra is meant to implant this image in the public psyche, despite the lack of evidence that democracy is in any real danger.
It is called the illusory truth effect, whereby the repetition of a false claim can create an impression of truth. Ironically, it is a technique denounced by some of these very same critics as a common means of disinformation. They cite the effect as a justification for censorship of opposing views.
Yet, what is disinformation to some is information to others. “Democracy is dying” may be an absurdity, but it is also their advocacy — and it is protected speech, no matter how disinformative.
The danger is that these Democratic politicians are fueling the most radical and violent elements in our country with their “rage rhetoric.”
The images reinforce the “no holds barred” message.
People watch unhinged members such as Rep. LeMonica McIver (D.-N.J.) hitting federal officers and forcing her way into federal facilities and the lessons are not lost on them.
They see Rep. Maxine Waters (R-Calif.), who has fueled the anger in prior riots, accusing California Guardsmen of coming to shoot people in Los Angeles and telling them, “You better shoot straight.”
Many are fueling the rage as a license to oppose Trump by any means. What they will not admit is that they need the rage. They like it.
That was evident in the disruption of a press conference by Sen. Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) who not only yelled at Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, but resisted efforts of security to move him into the hall. He then claimed to be a victim of authoritarianism.
The right to disrupt has never been a basis for democracy, but it is a basis for anarchy. The Democratic Party has finally embraced the philosophy of former Rep. Jamaal Bowman (D-N.Y.), who famously pulled the fire alarm in order to prevent a vote from happening on the House floor.
Before he was voted out of office, Bowman was shown on videotape screaming about gun control in the Capitol as his colleagues left the floor following a vote. Various Democratic members, including former House Majority Whip Steny Hoyer (D-Md.), tried to calm Bowman. However, when Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) asked Bowman to stop yelling, Bowman shouted back: “I was screaming before you interrupted me.”
These politicians and pundits will not tolerate such interruptions this weekend. Whatever unfolds, it’s Trump’s fault. There is a national rave planned, and the republic be damned.
Jonathan Turley is the Shapiro Professor of Public Interest Law at George Washington University and the author of “The Indispensable Right: Free Speech in an Age of Rage.”
What I find most interesting, as always, is the stoking media.
Numerous street interviews of protesters were conducted.
Yet did even one single reporter ask for any specifics, e.g., “-What did Trump do that likens a king?”
or “Can you name a king that you think Trump is acting like?”
or “What did kings do that you find illegal or unconstitutional?”
or “-What did Trump do that you find illegal or unconstitutional?”
or (to a more intelligent-appearing protester) “Can you name the specific constitutional or statutory authority that Trump violated?”
Nope. Nada. Zero. Zippo. Zilcho. No thinking it through on their own, just parroting/repeating what they have heard from media and politicians.
Limbic over logic.
Lin,
Thank you for that insight. I do not watch MSM so thank you for stomaching watching MSM and reporting your observations.
I generally watch the Sunday morning political shows on ABC, NBC,and the evening news on the same networks. I want to see what they are feeding America. That’s basically it. Then I move on to cartoons.
Lin, great points but it always comes back to my main beef with the media over the last 20 years or so, they NEVER ask a follow up question of a Democrat and they ALWAYS take the contrarian and aggressive view when interviewing a Republican.
Yes, -and they always interview the Republican first, then interview the Democrat to do his/her best to discredit whatever the Republican just said.
AND (in MSM’s specious attempt to show neutrality) strangely the chosen Republicans who appear on Sunday morning political shows are the few who appear anti-Trump (how many more times for Chris Christie? Rand Paul? During Trump’s first term, it was Mitt Romney, Adam Kinzinger, John McCain, John Kasich…)
(Now and then, we get to see Sen. Lankford- he’s pretty fair, yes?…)
(lin)
On Nextdoor (neighborhood site) they usually do not allow political posts- but they allowed the info to Come out to NO KINGS protests (POLITICAL!!) MANY posted in support of the protests which was allowed by Nextdoor. I posted in favor of TRUMP. My post was deleted (nextdoor said I broke the rules!) RULES for 1 group but not another!!
Kirk, stop going to Nextdoor unless you need a plumber.
@kirk
That sort of thing is precisely why I stopped using Nextdoor years ago. At least in my former town (we also moved!), it was just another political place of grievance and intolerance. Utterly useless, and it didn’t start out that way.
More media coverage than there were protestors. Turnout would have been much greater if they had named it “BBBBUUUTTTTT…. MUH TRUMP!!!!!”, which is exactly what it is.
Somebody decided they had to use something else because doing that would give away the game. As if “No Kings” worked…
The DEMS were and are the threat to Democracy, starting with Obama continuing with Biden/Garland/Wray etc silencing any opposition, going after those who opposed their policies. Going after parents, politicians, any one they deemed as opposed to their autocratic rule. The DEM party has not learned and they are doubling down, they are sinking to below 20% approval, defending criminals, illegals etc.
Trump’s response when asked if his job is to uphold the Constitution: “I don’t know” (https://www.npr.org/2025/05/04/g-s1-64239/does-a-president-need-to-uphold-the-constitution-trump-says-i-dont-know) and you wonder why we need to protest?
From the same NPR, while claiming they do fair and balanced political coverage:
Obama and Biden’s response when repeatedly asked if they were aware they swore to uphold the Constitution? Maniacal laughter, accompanied by Surely you jest!
I was banned on a site by posting -“Majority support Trump” but the site allowed the hate of Trump. AI said sites ban saying something pro “Trump” because it disturbs many. However many sites sure allow posting HATE of Trump.
Democrats sticking the Alinksky’s “Rules for Radicals” as operational guide for the party. It’s great that modern media can quickly demonstrate this. The only problem is the disconnected boomer class, along with the same percentage of chronically disaffected who are under the complete control of the fifth column.
“No Kings” – and not a single “No Politburos” protest before this during 12 years of Obama and Obama’s Third Term?
Not one, despite Obama and then Biden using the DoJ and FBI as their version of the Soviets’ KGB, the sword and shield protecting the leader and the party against political threats and anybody else considered a threat to their great leap forward. Culminating in using prosecutors as their version of Stalin’s Lavarentiy Beria to conduct political show investigations and trials.
As always, the Democrat strategy: accuse their political enemies of what they have been doing themselves for years. Without their own “facts”, double standards, hypocrisy and lies, Democrats would have nothing to campaign on.
“No Kings” – and not a single “No Politburos” protest before this. Not one, despite 12 years of Obama and then Biden using the DoJ and FBI as their version of the Soviets’ KGB, the sword and shield protecting the leader and the party against political threats and anybody else considered a threat to their great leap forward. Culminating in using prosecutors as their version of Stalin’s Lavarentiy Beria to conduct political show investigations and trials.
Once again, Democrats accusing their political enemies of what they have been doing themselves for years. Without their own “facts”, double standards, hypocrisy and lies, Democrats would have nothing to campaign on.
all this day of rage from kmillions across the country and when they woke up Sunday morning Trump was, and is, still President…smh
Dems only believe in a democracy in which only dems win elections. They really to want us to believe they are the ‘original’ American party and that Trump, not we the people, has somehow wrested power from them.
To the uninitiated or under-taught: no, our founders were not democrats. Those who opposed atrocities and fought for liberty for all were also – you guessed it – not democrats. They certainly weren’t Marxists, either. The dems only response to being voted out is to research and implement ways to lie and manipulate more effectively (the trolls at least attempt it right here, every day), and barring that – to intimidate and destroy.
The ‘no kings’ IS malarky, it is irony on steroids. I am truly sorry they have made the Professor into a target, his courage is remarkable; but that’s what they do. In 2025 it is seemingly all they know how to do. They are capable of nothing else but their madness and cowardice.
As was stated below: several hundred million of us were NOT participating in their madness this weekend.
James,
Well said.
Based off the reporting and X posts of videos, most of the “No Kings” protesters were old, white people. Then, under the cover of darkness, the antifa goons showed up and began their usual assaults on LEOs and attempted to burn down one federal building. Again.
Thank you Dr Turley, for continuing to try and educate the ignorant!
Dicktim is the new word of the day applicable to Padilla! Behave like a dick then claim you’re a victim after suffering the consequences!
Progressives will claim they tried to pass an immigration bill. They tried to pass the progressive immigration bill, when that failed, they resorted to autocracy.
In a democracy, you need a majority. It is not the moron progressive or autocracy.
These progressively stupid “defenders” of democracy should simply be ridiculed, they are too stupid to reason with.
I suspect Judge Breyer instructed Newsom’s attorneys to send their proposed Order to him immediately after he received their complaint. The time between the hearing and his 35+ page Order was a matter of just a few hours. He didn’t research and prepare that order in that short amount of time.
The mere fact that Trump is fighting these unlawful injunctions legally is proof he is not a dictator. The mere fact that people are allowed to say what they want about the government is proof he is not a tyrant. The mere fact these people can make and attend these protests at all is proof he is not a king.
-Rabble
I continue to wish that Donald Trump would give a speech on the benefits of breathing, just to see how many people would hold their breath until they pass out.
Re: “No Kings”. My WAG (wild a__ guess) is that 2 million may have shown up across the country. I focus on the 338 million who did not.
Love it! That is a great idea!
Professor Turley, I am deeply disturbed that you were threatened with death, but not surprised. It would not surprise me to learn that the commenter who posted that was one of the regular respondents on this page. Liberalism is truly a mental disorder. Stay safe sir.
Highest count I saw reported was 15 Mil, which I beleive is a stretch. Even if it was true, 15 Mil across 3.8 million sq. mi. means not a lot of people.
-Rabble
Those of us who are sane and normal had better things to do.
When a Federal Judge makes such absurd claims in Court, what are the remedies? This District Court Judge is clearly Insane with TDS. When a Judge is this unhinged, they can no longer rationally apply the Law. It is time the Congress take the necessary steps to eliminate this plague on the Justice Branch.
Did you know that this judge is actually Justice Stephen Breyer’s brother as well as a long time contributor to the Democrats?He’s a bow tie wearing, partisan hack who needs to be overturned quickly, loudly, embarrassingly and with finality.
Hullbobby 8:07 AM- noted that observation. Maybe that explains why he stayed at the district court level whereas his brother made it to the Supreme Court.
Also I note that I have never seen the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals put a stay order on a district court judge’s injunction that fast. It was delivered as fast as a jet on afterburners.
Good point GEB.
Remember when King Louis was overruled in the French courts? Remember when the Kaiser was taken to court to stop WWI? What a great example of case law studying how Hitler was stopped from putting Jews in concentration camps by the appeals courts of Germany and Stalin was stopped by the courts from starving the Ukrainians.
These are the same idiots that idolize FDR who wasn’t even stopped from putting Japanese-AMERICANS in camps, love Wilson who shut down protests of WWI and told us Biden was great as he ignored the Courts with student loans and eviction moratoriums.
*. Professor Turley, I feel honored that one such as I has had the privilege to hear you speak. A common person such as I understanding only what I am able to appreciates the opportunity wholeheartedly as I am aware that lacking freedom of press, speech, and peaceful assembly here at your site without which I’d have no access to any superior intelligence such as you have.
Accept my wholehearted appreciation of your generosity in such things.
M
I’m not sure, “Democracy” is dying, but perhaps it’s time to sound taps for COMMON SENSE?
If by Democracy they mean the Democrat Party, then I hope they’re right.
And for some reason they refuse to recognize that we are a Republic, slightly changed since the founding, but a Republic NTL. There are small “d” democratic principles for sure, but a Republic
To the “No Kings” crowd, democracy means only left wingers can be elected.