'No Kings' Protests Spread Across the U.S....Expert Says "Impact Will Be Limited"

Trump Responds to Nationwide 'No Kings' Protests:
"I Am Not a King"

While 'No Kings' protests against President Donald Trump have taken place across the United States, analysts suggest that the impact of these demonstrations is unlikely to be significant.

On October 23, Kook Seungmin, a professor of political science at Michigan State University, appeared on SBS's 'Kim Taehyun's Political Show' and explained, "These protests are not triggered by any particular event, but rather by opposition to the governing style of the Trump administration." He added, "President Trump is acting in a manner reminiscent of a king, and since the United States was originally founded in opposition to the British monarchy, it seems natural that protesters are chanting 'No Kings.'"

Donald Trump, President of the United States. Photo by AP Yonhap News

He continued, "During Trump's first term, there were massive protests like the Women's March, but at the beginning of his second term, there were no such large-scale demonstrations. This has left many anti-Trump voters puzzled." Professor Kook added, "As time has passed, the administration's governing style has become increasingly bold, radical, and authoritarian, which has intensified the desire among anti-Trump voters to express their dissatisfaction, leading to larger protests."

However, he assessed, "The impact of these protests will likely be limited," explaining, "Currently, both the House and Senate are controlled by the Republican Party, so there is no concern about impeachment. Since the beginning of Trump's second term, the Republican Party has been united in its support for President Trump, leaving no reason for the administration to be shaken." He further stated, "Because President Trump has a solid base of support, the protests are unlikely to have much impact."

Professor Kook noted, "It is true that public opinion among Americans regarding President Trump's economic management is negative." Regarding President Trump's tariff policies, he said, "There is a clear trend of inflation worsening again recently, and the labor market is also deteriorating, so people are not viewing the tariff policies positively." He continued, "Trump supporters are showing a willingness to endure these policies in the long term, but if inflation worsens further or a full-scale recession occurs, even his base may withdraw their support. Those who do not support Trump are extremely critical of his tariff policies."

Meanwhile, on October 18 (local time), 'No Kings' protests opposing President Trump's governing style were held in major cities across all 50 states in the United States. Protesters criticized President Trump's policies-such as deploying the military for domestic law enforcement, disregarding court rulings, mass deportations of immigrants, and cuts to foreign aid-as authoritarian. In response, President Trump stated in an interview with Fox News on October 19, "They refer to me as a king, but I am not a king."

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