In a blistering statement to Fox Business Network, House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) tore into the so-called “No Kings” protests sweeping across major U.S. cities, calling the demonstrations a circus of “wild leftist policy priorities” and slamming Democrats for refusing to return to the table to end the Schumer shutdown.
The nationwide protests, led by radical left-wing activists, reignited after the Trump Administration’s decisive crackdowns on both illegal immigration and Antifa — which federal officials have designated as a violent extremist network. Millions of progressives poured into the streets under the “No Kings” banner, claiming to oppose what they call “authoritarianism,” but their targets were clear: President Trump, law enforcement, and anyone standing in the way of their far-left agenda.
Speaker Johnson wasn’t having it. Speaking with *Fox Business*, he torched the hypocrisy and chaos of the left’s movement. “It’ll be a collection of wild leftist policy priorities, and that’ll be on display for the whole country,” Johnson said. “After that’s over, I hope there’s a few Democrats over here who will come to their senses and return to governing the country.”
Johnson’s remarks come as the Schumer-led government shutdown drags into its third week, with Democrats refusing to compromise on runaway spending and their push to restore funding for illegal alien healthcare. Rather than working toward reopening the government, many Democrats are spending their weekends posing for cameras at left-wing rallies.
“Right now,” Johnson added, “I don’t think—it’s my assumption and all of ours—that they would not make that concession before that rally’s over because they don’t want to face the angry mob. I mean it’s sad, but that’s where we are.”
Rep. Zach Nunn (R-IA) echoed Johnson’s frustration, arguing that Democrats are more concerned with impressing their activist base than doing their jobs. “My guess is if they don’t want a primary from the left, they’ll probably find a way to sneak it into their schedule,” Nunn said. “The real question that’s going to be is, do they have the fortitude after Saturday to come back and open up the government?”
The Iowa congressman also blasted Democrats for chasing media clout instead of solutions. “They should be doing it today,” he continued. “But if they feel like they’ve got to appease their base, then they better come to Jesus on Sunday and figure out a way to help them get back to the business of taking care of the American people.”
President Trump weighed in as well, ridiculing the idea that he’s some kind of “king” and pointing out that the presidency often requires battling entrenched bureaucracy and obstructionists — many of them Democrats. “I don’t feel like a king,” Trump quipped. “I have to go through hell to get things approved. A king would never have the California mandate to be talking about. He wouldn’t have to call Mike Johnson and Thune and say fellas, pull this off and after years get it done.”
Meanwhile, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) defended the protests, claiming they were a “necessary act of dissent.” “I support the right of every single American to participate in the rallies,” Jeffries said.
For millions of Americans watching the chaos unfold, the “No Kings” protests aren’t about democracy — they’re about defiance, disorder, and distraction. As Johnson and Trump made clear, while Democrats march and chant, conservatives are the ones still showing up to do the hard work of governing.
