Across the United States, approximately 2000 No Kings Day protests are planned to voice opposition to President Donald Trump’s military parade in Washington, DC. Critics have argued that the parade is less a celebration of the military and more a promotion of Trump’s “authoritarian agenda and the MAGA movement.”

In an op-ed published on June 14, Graves-Fitzsimmons explained that Christianity is a notable motivator for his involvement in the Philadelphia No Kings Day event, which MSNBC has called the day’s “flagship” event.

Graves-Fitzsimmons stated, “For the Philadelphia protest, Faithful America, an online community of progressive Christians, is bringing its giant Trump Golden Calf balloon. It’s a reference to the Exodus passage about the ancient Israelites worshipping an idol they created while Moses was away on Mount Sinai receiving the Ten Commandments. The Trump Golden Calf sends the unmistakable message that Christians worshipping Trump is idolatrous, and we rebuke our siblings in Christ who are providing spiritual cover for Trump’s authoritarian destruction of American democracy.”

Graves-Fitzsimmons finds it offensive that many Christian nationalists claim Trump was sent by God Himself.

Graves-Fitzsimmons writes, “Trump shows no evidence of personal piety or of an attempt to follow jesus Christ – recall when he said he never had to ask God for forgiveness – and has made it a priority to aid the wealthy and attack the most vulnerable in our society.He exhibits the polar opposite of Christian social ethics…. Christians believe Christ’s kingdom will reign forever. As American Christians in the year 2025,we must also believe and work to ensure that Trump’s power,granted to him by voters,ends at the end of his second term in accordance with the constitution.”

Graves-Fitzsimmons added, “And every day, until the end of his presidency, he must be prevented from acting like a king and made to remember that we live in a democracy.”

“And every day, until the end of his presidency, he must be prevented from acting like a king and made to remember that we live in a democracy.”

Understanding No Kings Day Protests

No Kings Day protests are demonstrations held to oppose what participants perceive as authoritarian tendencies in political leaders.These protests often coincide with events that critics believe promote a cult of personality rather than democratic values. The name “No Kings Day” is a symbolic rejection of monarchical or autocratic rule in favor of democratic principles.