It’s a phrase I never thought I’d say, but here I am starting this piece by expressing gratitude to House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) for his cautionary words regarding last Saturday’s “No Kings” protests. In his conversation with Real America’s Voice, Johnson described the event as a gathering of Marxists, Antifa members, remnants of Black Lives Matter, and the so-called pro-Hamas wing of the Democratic Party, dubbing it the “Hate America” rally.

His forewarning piqued my curiosity enough to propel me out of the house. The prospect of encountering such a diverse group of alleged “evildoers” in one spot was too intriguing to pass up, so I made my way to the “No Kings” rally held at the intersection of 3rd and Pennsylvania, right in front of the U.S. Capitol.

Much to my surprise, what I found was a far cry from the anticipated “hate America” assembly. Instead, the event unfolded as a genuine celebration of American values. The word “love” echoed frequently from the podium as speakers professed their affection for the Constitution, the rule of law, democracy, and the United States itself.

The crowd was a vibrant tapestry of Americans from all walks of life, encompassing a rich diversity of ages, ethnicities, and backgrounds. I engaged in conversations with an eclectic mix of attendees: young couples maneuvering strollers, seasoned boomers, college students, and families with young children. Professionals spanning the fields of business, law, medicine, and education were present, with many dressed in whimsical animal costumes like chickens, dinosaurs, giraffes, and frogs, adding to the colorful atmosphere.

The mood was undeniably upbeat and festive. Bands provided the soundtrack as people danced and sang along to protest anthems. American flags were prominently displayed, some symbolically inverted to signal distress. The rally was also a showcase of wit and creativity, evident in the clever signs people held. Among the standout slogans were: “The only orange monarch we want is a butterfly,” “If Kamala was President, we would all be at brunch,” and “No faux-king way!”

Dozens of signs simply said: “I love America.” 

There were some 2,500 rallies across the country, in cities large and small. CNN estimated the total crowd at 7 million, surpassing the 5 million that showed up for the first “No Kings” rallies on June 14 — and making it, perhaps, the largest number of people to protest on any single day in our nation’s history. And out of 2,500 events, there were no reports of violence and only a handful of people arrested.

Of course, the huge turnout and the peaceful nature of the protests did not faze Speaker Johnson. The next morning, on ABC’s “This Week,” he told host Jonathan Karl the rallies were nothing but a political “stunt” organized by Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and condemned their “hateful messages.”  

Well, again, I was there, Johnson was not. So let me tell you what messages I heard, from opening speaker Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) to last speaker Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.). Some related to history: This wasn’t the first “No Kings” protest, they pointed out. The first was in 1776, when our Founders broke from the King of England and said we wanted no kings here. The Founders were right, and we want to keep it that way. 

And, of course, some related to issues of the day. We love our country, but we oppose a president who acts like a king. Who fires tens of thousands of federal employees for no cause, levies worldwide tariffs without consulting Congress, refuses to spend funds Congress has already appropriated, threatens to deprive millions of Americans of health care, uses the Justice Department to prosecute his political opponents, and hints he may violate the Constitution by seeking a third term. We also oppose a House Speaker who refuses to call members of the House back to Washington to try ending the government shutdown. 

What’s so radical about that? Johnson may not agree with those sentiments, but they’re not hateful, Marxist, Antifa or anti-American. They’re legitimate political arguments. Americans have a right, indeed a duty, to hold their government accountable. Protests are the most American thing we can do. 

Ironically, in the end, it was Donald Trump himself who made the strongest case. In response to the rallies, the White House actually released an AI meme of King Trump, wearing a crown, flying a fighter jet and dumping raw sewage on American cities. With that video, Trump delivered the message of the “No Kings” protests better than any rally speaker: Here’s a president who believes he’s king and acts like it.  

Bill Press is host of “The Bill Press Pod.” He is the author of “From the Left: A Life in the Crossfire.”