Republican leaders say the wave of left-wing “No Kings” protests held in Washington and other cities on Saturday is contributing to Democrats’ reluctance to reach a deal to reopen the government.
House Speaker Mike Johnson of Louisiana, Senate Majority Leader John Thune of South Dakota, and other GOP lawmakers argue that Democratic leaders are attempting to demonstrate to their liberal base that they are standing firm against former President Trump and are therefore unlikely to make concessions before the nationwide demonstrations on Saturday.
House Speaker Mike Johnson accused Democrats of turning Saturday’s “No Kings” protest into a spectacle amid the ongoing government shutdown. He claimed the group “cheers on the shutdown” while polls show rising blame on Democrats. The “No Kings” coalition laughed off Johnson’s remarks, saying he’s “running out of excuses.” They described the event as a peaceful protest against authoritarianism, while Johnson labeled it “the hate America rally.”
