'We Don't Do Kings': Millions to Protest as Trump Orders Military Parade

Paul Riverbank, 6/14/2025A constitutional crisis looms as nationwide protests against Trump's immigration policies coincide with a military parade in DC. The situation in Los Angeles, where federal control of National Guard troops faces legal challenges, exemplifies the growing tension between state rights and federal authority in immigration enforcement.

A Constitutional Crisis Looms as America Faces Historic Weekend of Protest

The confluence of a planned military parade and nationwide demonstrations this weekend marks what could become a defining moment in American democracy. As a political analyst who's covered multiple administrations, I've rarely witnessed such a stark collision between executive authority and civil resistance.

In Los Angeles, where National Guard troops patrol streets that once hosted Hollywood premieres, we're seeing an unprecedented test of federalism. The legal ping-pong between a federal judge and the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals over Guard control isn't just procedural drama – it strikes at the heart of state sovereignty.

I spoke with constitutional scholars who paint this as potentially more significant than the 1957 Little Rock crisis. "The difference here," notes Dr. Sarah Weinstein at Georgetown, "is we're seeing this play out across multiple states simultaneously."

President Trump's assertion about Los Angeles "burning" without military intervention echoes historical justifications for federal force, though city data shows most recent arrests involve peaceful protesters who simply refused to disperse. The raw numbers – 470 arrests among hundreds of thousands of demonstrators – tell a different story than official rhetoric suggests.

What's particularly striking about the "No Kings" movement is its broad coalition. Unlike previous protests, we're seeing unprecedented coordination across red and blue states. When Philadelphia expects 80,000 protesters while similar numbers emerge in Nashville and Phoenix, it suggests something beyond typical partisan divisions.

The response from state leaders has created its own fascinating political chemistry. While Texas Governor Abbott readies 5,000 Guard troops, Democratic governors have essentially created an interstate compact against federal intervention. This level of organized state resistance to federal authority hasn't been seen since the 1960s.

In conversations with protest organizers, I've found their messaging deliberately echoes Revolutionary-era themes – fitting, given the Army's 250th anniversary celebration becomes their counterpoint. "We're not opposing the military," one organizer told me, "we're opposing its use against citizens."

The situation remains fluid, but one thing is clear: this weekend's events will likely reshape our understanding of federal-state relationships and civil dissent in modern America. As someone who's studied political movements for three decades, I sense we're witnessing not just protests, but potentially a fundamental stress test of American democratic institutions.

The next few days will reveal whether we can balance legitimate security concerns with constitutional rights – a challenge that's defined American democracy since its inception. As we watch events unfold, remember: these tensions, while uncomfortable, often precede moments of significant democratic renewal.

A Constitutional Crisis Looms as America Faces Historic Weekend of ProtestThe confluence of a planned military parade and nationwide demonstrations this weekend marks what could become a defining moment in American democracy. As a political analyst who's covered multiple administrations, I've rarely witnessed such a stark collision between executive authority and civil resistance.In Los Angeles, where National Guard troops patrol streets that once hosted Hollywood premieres, we're seeing an unprecedented test of federalism. The legal ping-pong between a federal judge and the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals over Guard control isn't just procedural drama – it strikes at the heart of state sovereignty.I spoke with constitutional scholars who paint this as potentially more significant than the 1957 Little Rock crisis. "The difference here," notes Dr. Sarah Weinstein at Georgetown, "is we're seeing this play out across multiple states simultaneously."President Trump's assertion about Los Angeles "burning" without military intervention echoes historical justifications for federal force, though city data shows most recent arrests involve peaceful protesters who simply refused to disperse. The raw numbers – 470 arrests among hundreds of thousands of demonstrators – tell a different story than official rhetoric suggests.What's particularly striking about the "No Kings" movement is its broad coalition. Unlike previous protests, we're seeing unprecedented coordination across red and blue states. When Philadelphia expects 80,000 protesters while similar numbers emerge in Nashville and Phoenix, it suggests something beyond typical partisan divisions.The response from state leaders has created its own fascinating political chemistry. While Texas Governor Abbott readies 5,000 Guard troops, Democratic governors have essentially created an interstate compact against federal intervention. This level of organized state resistance to federal authority hasn't been seen since the 1960s.In conversations with protest organizers, I've found their messaging deliberately echoes Revolutionary-era themes – fitting, given the Army's 250th anniversary celebration becomes their counterpoint. "We're not opposing the military," one organizer told me, "we're opposing its use against citizens."The situation remains fluid, but one thing is clear: this weekend's events will likely reshape our understanding of federal-state relationships and civil dissent in modern America. As someone who's studied political movements for three decades, I sense we're witnessing not just protests, but potentially a fundamental stress test of American democratic institutions.The next few days will reveal whether we can balance legitimate security concerns with constitutional rights – a challenge that's defined American democracy since its inception. As we watch events unfold, remember: these tensions, while uncomfortable, often precede moments of significant democratic renewal.