Overview

• Organizers say more than 2,500 events are scheduled across every state on Oct. 18, with flagship gatherings planned in Washington, D.C., and major cities including San Francisco and Chicago.
• House Speaker Mike Johnson labeled the events a "hate-America" rally and suggested Democrats will keep the government closed until after the protests, a claim echoed by other Republicans.
• Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy called participants "part of antifa" and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said "No Kings means no paychecks," drawing public pushback from groups helping coordinate the rallies.
• Internal planning materials reported by The Daily Wire show event hosts were guided to feature speakers affected by the shutdown and to prepare safety marshals, legal contacts, and contingency support while committing to nonviolence and no civil disobedience.
• Local listings detail hundreds of community rallies, including more than 100 across Michigan and dozens in Minnesota, and USA TODAY reports no announced plan to deploy the National Guard for the demonstrations.