WASHINGTON — During a press conference decrying the government shutdown on Friday, House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) addressed Saturday’s nationwide “No Kings” protest with disapproval.
“We refer to it by its more accurate description, the Hate America Rally,” Johnson said. “And I’m not sure how anybody can refute that.”
Johnson is one of many Republican lawmakers and Trump administration officials who preemptively denounced the protest, using extreme language to exaggerate the depravity of their opponents.
Attorney General Pam Bondi pointed to the protest as evidence of an Antifa organization, which she has equated to the MS-13 drug gang.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt echoed these comments Thursday on Fox News.
“The Democrat Party’s main constituency are made up of Hamas terrorists, illegal aliens, and violent criminals,” Leavitt said.
The reality contrasted starkly with this narrative. On Saturday, large crowds peacefully gathered in protests in more than 2,500 locations across the country. Protesters appeared all too aware of the GOP’s descriptions of them.
Inspired by “Operation Inflation” in Portland, many stepped out in inflatable costumes to satirize the administration’s portrayal of their actions.
“There’s nothing they can’t stand more than being mocked,” said Pete Fitzpatrick, who wore a clown costume. “And what are they going to do? Beat up a clown?”
“I’m second-generation anti-fascist,” said Fitzpatrick, whose father served in the army. (Sophie Baker/MNS)
Unicorns were a common sighting on Saturday. (Sophie Baker/MNS)
Some protesters in inflatable costumes stuck together throughout the rally. (Sophie Baker/MNS)
Megan Sweeney said she loved the “playfulness” and “absurdity” of the protests. “It is a really great counter to the fact that these are violent or extremists,” she said. “This is everyday people who are just fed up with what Donald Trump and his regime has been doing.” (Sophie Baker/MNS)
Many dressed in inflatable costumes had signs that referenced their character. (Sophie Baker/MNS)
Protesters used puns to critique the Trump administration. (Sophie Baker/MNS)
A person dressed as a caricatured version of the president did impressions, drawing laughter from the surrounding crowd. (Sophie Baker/MNS)
Protesters marched down Pennsylvania Avenue towards the U.S. Capitol building on Saturday. (Sophie Baker/MNS)
