The Resistance Movement Reaches into Trump Country
How a sustained, nonviolent protest movement is taking root in Trump's own backyard.
It is the stuff of big city marches, easily ignored by those in America’s heartland.
But a stunning new analysis of protest data, released this week from the from the Harvard Ash Center for Democratic Governance and Innovation, reveals this narrative to be completely, demonstrably false.
The pro-democracy movement opposing the second Trump administration is not only more geographically widespread and sustained than ever before, but it has also pushed deep into the very counties that form the bedrock of his political power.
What is happening on the streets of America is not a niche revolt; it is a burgeoning, nationwide challenge to authoritarianism, and with organizers for the “No Kings 2” rally on October 18 seeking a historic turnout, that challenge is poised to grow even stronger.
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A Protest Movement of Historic Proportions
The sheer scale of mobilization in 2025 is staggering, dwarfing what was seen during even the most intense periods of Trump’s first term.
Data from the Crowd Counting Consortium shows that the number of anti-Trump protests this year has already far surpassed the totals from 2017. The movement is not just bigger; it is more persistent and widespread.
For four consecutive months in 2025, protests occurred in over 20 percent of all U.S. counties, a level of sustained geographic reach never seen during Trump’s first four years.
The “No Kings” day of action on June 14, 2025, serves as a powerful benchmark for the movement’s growth. An estimated 2 to 4.8 million people participated in over 2,150 separate actions across the country, making it one of the largestsingle days of protest in American history.
While the 2017 Women’s March saw a comparable number of participants, the No Kings protests were far more dispersed, taking place in more than three times as many locations.
This demonstrates a crucial evolution. The resistance is no longer just about massive gatherings in Washington D.C. or New York City. It is a decentralized and deeply embedded force, present in communities large and small across all 50 states.
While Trump and his allies focus on consolidating power, a popular protest movement continues to push back with remarkable and growing persistence.
Taking the Fight to Trump’s Backyard
The most groundbreaking finding from the new data is where these protests are happening.
During Trump’s first term, demonstrations were largely concentrated in counties that leaned Democratic. That has fundamentally changed.
The data shows that from April to August 2025, the typical protest in America occurred in a county that Trump won in the 2024 election. Unlike the brief spikes of protest seen in red counties during the 2018 gun control walkouts or the 2020 Black Lives Matter uprising, this new trend is durable and sustained.
These are not just token gestures. They are significant and courageous displays of dissent in politically hostile territory.
In Kingsport, Tennessee, a city in a county Trump won by 54 points, an estimated 2,000 people lined the streets on No Kings Day, a crowd representing nearly 10 percent of the city’s population.
In Harlan County, Kentucky, where Trump received 88 percent of the vote, a small group of 20 to 30 people protesting the administration’s policies were confronted by an armed counter-protester who was subsequently arrested.
In Gillette, Wyoming, located in a county that also gave Trump 88 percent of the vote, protesters who gathered for the No Kings action were met by counter-protesters who heckled speakers, hailed Hitler, and chanted “Trump is King”.
These brave individuals are standing up for democratic values in places where doing so carries real personal risk.
They are organizing in counties where over 80 percent of their neighbors voted for Trump, from the Big Thicket National Preserve in Texas to Mammoth Cave National Park in Kentucky.
The data confirms that nationwide protest participation, on a per capita basis, has increased by more than 62 percent in Trump’s second term compared to his first. This shows a movement that is not only spreading but also deepening its commitment.
The Foundations of a Resilient Movement
Beyond the impressive numbers and expanding map, the character of the movement itself points to its potential for long term impact.
First and foremost, it is overwhelmingly peaceful. Despite calculated smears from right wing media, over 99.5 percent of reported protests have involved no injuries or property damage whatsoever.
This nonviolent discipline is being actively cultivated. A recent virtual nonviolence training hosted by the No Kings coalition attracted over 130,000 registrants, likely making it the largest such training in U.S. history.
This is a movement defined by dedication. Citizens are showing up despite credible threats of violence. In Saint Paul, Minnesota, tens of thousands protested peacefully just hours after several local lawmakers were attacked by a gunman.
This commitment, this willingness to stand for democracy in the face of intimidation, is a powerful indicator of the movement’s resolve.
Organizers are not just holding signs; they are building a coalition, creating “action tables” at events to write postcards to Congress and letters to local editors.
Conclusion
It is too soon to know how this historic wave of protest will shape America’s political future. But the facts on the ground are clear.
A pro-democracy movement is growing, maintaining nonviolent discipline, and expanding its reach into the most pro-Trump parts of the country.
Millions of Americans, from a 97 year old first time protester in New Hampshire to students in Tennessee, are refusing to acquiesce. They are building a broad, resilient, and geographically diverse coalition.
Regardless of what happens next, they have already made history.
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About the Author: Samuel Wynn Warde writes about liberal politics, media, and society with a focus on fact-based analysis and sharp commentary. He publishes regularly on his Substack page, The Art of Living.”
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