If you walked through downtown Chicago in March 2016 or stood in the pink-hatted sea of the 2017 Women’s March, you felt it. That electric, jagged energy. It wasn't just a rally. It was a friction point in American history that never really went away. People think protests against Donald Trump were just a reaction to an election, but honestly, they’ve become a permanent fixture of the U.S. political landscape.
Most folks assume these demonstrations are just "blue city" things. You know, the usual suspects like Seattle, Portland, or Brooklyn. But that's not the whole story anymore. Not even close.
Why the Resistance looks different in 2026
We’re seeing a shift. During the first term, the "Resistance" was this massive, sudden burst of energy. Think of the Women's March on January 21, 2017. Over 4 million people hit the streets. It was the largest single-day protest in American history. Fast forward to now, in the early days of Trump's second term, and the geography has changed.
Research from the Harvard Ash Center shows that by 2025, protests were reaching deep into "Trump country." We aren't just talking about Manhattan. We’re talking about Kingsport, Tennessee, where 2,000 people—roughly 10% of the town—lined the streets for the "No Kings" protest in June 2025.
Basically, the movement has stopped being a coastal phenomenon. It's decentralized. It’s local. And it’s staying.
The "No Kings" Movement and the 2025 Spike
You’ve probably heard of "No Kings Day." If you haven't, you weren't on social media last summer. On June 14, 2025, an estimated five million people participated in nationwide rallies. This actually surpassed the 2017 Women's March in terms of total participation.
Why "No Kings"?
It was a direct response to the Supreme Court's earlier rulings on presidential immunity and the administration’s "Project 2025" agenda. People were—and are—genuinely spooked by the idea of an unchecked executive branch.
- The Gaza Factor: Many of the 2024 and 2025 protests weren't just about domestic policy. A huge chunk of the momentum came from pro-Palestine activists who felt the administration's stance was a breaking point.
- The "Resistance Rangers": This is a weirdly specific one. In March 2025, park rangers and supporters protested at places like Mammoth Cave National Park over federal layoffs and budget cuts. It sounds niche, but it shows how specific the grievances have become.
- Labor Unions: Unlike the first term, we’re seeing way more "blue-collar" involvement. The American Federation of Teachers and various tenant unions like KC Tenants have been organizing strikes that double as anti-administration statements.
Is it all just "Not My President"?
One big misconception is that everyone at these rallies is just a "sore loser." Honestly, if you talk to people on the ground, that’s rarely the vibe.
In 2020, the Black Lives Matter protests became the broadest mobilization in history. While they weren't exclusively "anti-Trump," the administration's response—like the Lafayette Square incident—fused the civil rights movement with the anti-Trump movement. It became about the way the country was being governed, not just who won the 538 electoral votes.
What actually happens at these events?
The media loves a good fire. They’ll zoom in on one guy throwing a rock or a trash can on fire in Portland. But the Nonviolent Action Lab data is pretty clear: over 95% of these protests have no arrests and no injuries. They’re boringly peaceful.
Most of it is just standing around with cardboard signs, chanting things that rhyme (sorta), and trying to find a bathroom.
🔗 Read more: Middlesex County VA Obituaries: What Most People Get Wrong
But there is a darker side. We’ve seen a 1,000 percent increase in attacks on ICE facilities and officers since early 2025. This isn't the "Women's March" crowd. This is a more radicalized fringe that feels the democratic process has failed them. It’s a tension that organizations like the ACLU are constantly trying to navigate—supporting the right to dissent while distancing themselves from the "sand in the gears" tactics that lead to violence.
What you can actually do
If you're looking at this and wondering how to engage (or just how to stay safe during a rally), here’s the expert take:
- Know your local ordinances. Every city has different rules about where you can stand and whether you need a permit for a megaphone.
- Verify the organizers. In 2024, there were a bunch of "hoax" protests organized by bots to stir up trouble. Stick to known groups like Indivisible, Planned Parenthood, or the ACLU.
- Watch the data. Sites like the ACLED (Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project) provide real-time maps of where demonstrations are happening. This is great for avoiding traffic—or finding your community.
- Focus on policy, not just personality. The most effective protests in the last decade weren't the ones just yelling about tweets. They were the ones focused on the travel ban, the family separation policy, or national rent control.
The "Resistance" isn't a monolith. It's a messy, loud, and incredibly diverse collection of people who feel like the country is heading the wrong way. Whether you agree with them or not, they’ve proven one thing: they aren't going home anytime soon.