On October 18, 2025, the United States witnessed a wave of protests under the banner of "No Kings," drawing millions to city centers from New York to Atlanta and even outside the U.S. Embassy in London. The demonstrations, which marked the second such event in recent months, became a focal point for national debate—not only about presidential power and political allegiances but also about the very state of American democracy. As crowds filled Times Square and the National Mall, the day’s events took an unexpected turn on social media, where golf legend Phil Mickelson weighed in with a satirical jab at the Biden administration, igniting further controversy.
Mickelson, a six-time major champion and a prominent supporter of former President Donald Trump, took to X (formerly Twitter) to post a message that blended humor with pointed criticism. "On this special day as we all gather to fight against blanket auto pen pardons and executive orders, lawlessness, and stealing citizens’ resources for illegal non-citizens, I believe it has worked!! That is no longer happening so great job everyone," Mickelson wrote, referencing President Joe Biden’s criticized use of the autopen for signing pardons and executive orders. His post, which quickly gained traction online, was a not-so-subtle nod to conservative frustrations with the previous administration’s approach to executive authority and immigration.
According to Fox News Digital, Mickelson’s message was seen by many as a mocking response to the "No Kings" movement, which itself was organized as a show of resistance against former President Trump and his policies. The rallies, which spanned thousands of locations across the U.S., were intended to challenge what organizers saw as the growing influence of Trump and the Republican Party. Demonstrators gathered in major urban centers—Times Square in New York City, the National Mall in Washington, D.C., and city squares in Atlanta, Carrollton, Charlotte, and Arlington—waving signs and chanting slogans that, at times, drew sharp comparisons between current immigration enforcement and historical injustices.
By 10:30 a.m. Eastern Time, crowds were already thick in New York and Washington. By noon, significant numbers had amassed in cities across the South and outside the U.S. Embassy in London, signaling the protest’s reach beyond American borders. The movement’s symbolism was clear: a collective stand against what participants described as authoritarian tendencies and policies that, in their view, undermined democratic norms. Some protestors in New York City, for example, chanted slogans comparing Immigration and Customs Enforcement to the Ku Klux Klan, according to Fox News Digital, highlighting the deep divisions and passions fueling the day’s events.
Yet, while the rallies were billed as peaceful demonstrations of civic engagement, they also drew swift criticism from conservative leaders and commentators. In Virginia, Republican Governor Glenn Youngkin took the unusual step of deploying the National Guard as a precautionary measure, citing concerns about potential disruptions but noting that the protests remained largely peaceful through the afternoon. The move underscored the heightened tensions surrounding the event and the broader political climate.
Republican leaders were quick to frame the protests as political theater. According to FOX Business, House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Louisiana Republican, labeled the demonstrations as "Hate America" rallies, claiming that participants were members of Antifa and supporters of Hamas. Johnson argued that the timing of the mass rallies was no coincidence, suggesting they were orchestrated to distract from the ongoing government funding standoff in Congress—a battle that had left lawmakers deadlocked and the threat of a government shutdown looming large. "I hope Democrats attending the rallies will be more willing to accept the GOP’s plan once the protests are over," Johnson told FOX Business, though he admitted he was "not overly optimistic."
Other Republicans echoed Johnson’s sentiments, dismissing the protests as a diversionary tactic. The narrative from the right was clear: the demonstrations were less about genuine grassroots opposition to Trump and more about shifting focus away from the Democrats’ own political challenges, particularly the contentious budget negotiations in Congress. Conservative commentators, meanwhile, took to social media and cable news to argue that the rallies were "misguided and politically orchestrated," as reported by multiple outlets.
Despite the political wrangling, the protests themselves were, by most accounts, orderly. Law enforcement in cities like New York and Washington maintained a visible but restrained presence, and no major incidents of violence or unrest were reported through the afternoon. The peaceful nature of the rallies was noted by both supporters and critics, though the underlying tensions remained palpable.
Phil Mickelson’s involvement added a celebrity twist to the day’s events, drawing attention not only from sports fans but also from political observers. Known for his outspoken conservative views and his public support of Trump, Mickelson’s satirical post was interpreted by some as a rallying cry for those frustrated with what they see as executive overreach and perceived leniency toward undocumented immigrants. "On this special day as we all gather to fight against blanket auto pen pardons and executive orders, lawlessness, and stealing citizen’s resources for illegal non citizens, I believe it has worked!! That is no longer happening so great job everyone," Mickelson wrote, his sarcasm underscoring the divide between the day’s protesters and their critics.
The "No Kings" movement itself, while ostensibly aimed at resisting Trump’s political influence, has become a lightning rod for broader debates about the direction of the country. For many on the left, the rallies represent a necessary stand against what they see as creeping authoritarianism and the erosion of democratic norms. For those on the right, however, the protests are seen as little more than partisan posturing, an attempt to distract from Democratic missteps and to paint the opposition in the worst possible light.
As the sun set on October 18, the nation was left to ponder the significance of the day’s events. The peaceful nature of the protests, the sharp rhetoric from political leaders, and the viral commentary from figures like Phil Mickelson all combined to create a snapshot of a country deeply divided—but still, for the most part, committed to expressing those divisions through peaceful assembly and spirited debate.
Whether the "No Kings" movement will have a lasting impact on American politics remains to be seen. But for one Saturday in October, it brought millions into the streets, drew the ire and applause of leaders from both sides, and even prompted a golf legend to join the fray—reminding everyone that, in the United States, the contest for the nation’s soul is never far from the public square.
