Democrats Caught in the Crossfire: Will Protests Against Trump’s Immigration Crackdown Help or Hurt?
As ‘No Kings’ movement gains momentum nationwide, Democrats weigh emotional pull of resistance against political risks of appearing soft on law and order
Over the past week, protests erupting in Los Angeles have spread across U.S. cities, transforming local outrage into a swelling movement under the banner “No Kings.” Democrats are seizing on the moment—capitalizing on deepening public rage over immigration crackdowns, border enforcement and the visible deployment of soldiers to control civil unrest. Yet party leaders proceed with caution, determined not to allow Trump’s law-and-order narrative to undermine their message.
Political analyst Matt Bennett, co-founder of Third Way, explains the problem, saying “The dangers outweigh the potential upsides for Democrats and for Trump, which is not a contradiction.”
He warns that while Trump’s extremes can be leveraged, marches and mass demonstrations also carry the risk of spiraling into chaos. Without tight control, he argues, this loss of control could backfire.
What Sparked the Protests — and Why They Spread Overnight
Tensions from Los Angeles to Washington reached a boiling point amid sweeping immigration arrests targeting undocumented workers, some at popular retail hotspots like Home Depot. Angry demonstrations surged when National Guard units, deployed by Democratic governor Gavin Newsom, showed up on California streets. The flashpoint came when Senator Alex Padilla attempted to ask Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem questions and was thrown to the ground and handcuffed. The unforgettable moment was caught on camera.
“I am Sen. Alex Padilla. I have questions for the secretary.”
The arrest rattled activists and ignited fierce calls for accountability.
Saturday’s National Flashpoint: Military Parade and Mounting Backlash
As Washington prepares for Trump’s huge military parade complete with weaponry, vehicles and flyovers, to honor the U.S. Army’s 250th anniversary this weekend, unrest is brewing. The event has drawn sharp criticism from experts who say it politicizes the armed forces amid an already volatile climate.
That anger is inspiring more No Kings rallies.
“You’re going to see these things coming together this weekend,” says Juan Proaño, head of the League of United Latin American Citizens.
The umbrella organizing coalition—spanning roughly 100 progressive organizations—has confirmed over 300 solidarity events nationwide since Los Angeles first erupted.
A Haunting Echo of 2020’s Unrest
Democratic leaders can’t help but be haunted by the fallout of 2020’s Black Lives Matter protests, which were marred in many areas by riots and vandalism. Although the majority of those demonstrations were peaceful, right-wing critics highlighted violent fringe incidents. Already this week, footage has emerged of vandalized Waymo autonomous vehicles and graffiti-splashed storefronts.
Ben Austin, a Democrat and former deputy mayor of Los Angeles, laments the impact. “The people who lit that Waymo on fire did damage beyond that Waymo—they damaged the resistance.” He added, “It is frightening to me that the future of American democracy depends on the competency of the Democratic Party. But you have to fight with the army you have.”
Still, Austin maintains that this is a pivotal moment to fight back against what he calls authoritarian impulses.
Democrats Try to Walk the Fine Line
Many within the party believe this is a moment to speak with clarity about Trump’s use of federal power without letting critics paint them as soft on law enforcement. Emily Phelps, spokesperson for Indivisible, one of the lead No Kings backers, emphasizes the stakes:
“Experts on authoritarianism say that peaceful mass mobilization at national scale is what keeps democracies from becoming autocracies.”
Still, Republicans dismiss that approach—and democracy itself—as flawed. “Democrats keep misreading every situation to somehow think that it’s going to help them politically, when I don’t see in reality how it could,” says Erin Maguire, a GOP consultant. She maintains most Americans support immigration enforcement and remain indifferent to Padilla’s confrontation.
Internally, though, some Republicans admit the aggressive raids may alienate traditional voters who expected action only against criminal offenders—not workers embedded in local communities. Even President Trump has weighed in, responding to backlash from farmers and hospitality leaders on social media:
“Our great Farmers and people in the Hotel and Leisure business have been stating that our very aggressive policy on immigration is taking very good, long time workers away from them… Changes are coming!”
Opinion Polls Suggest Immigration Might Swing the Sentiment
Some Democrats argue that embracing immigration reform could win them broader electoral support if they reclaim the narrative.
Tory Gavito of Way to Win warns that ceding messaging to Trump can be detrimental: “When you let your opposition define the narrative, then perception becomes reality.”
Indeed, a recent poll by the group found briefing voters on immigration raids led to a 10-point drop in Trump’s favorable ratings. Respondents especially rebelled at immigration enforcement in noncriminal settings, particularly when local police or church raids are involved.
Personal Act of Solidarity in Omaha
In Nebraska, a remarkable story surfaced this week: Staci White, a Trump voter, found herself joining her first-ever protest in Omaha. She was moved to action after spotting what she believed were immigration agents checking people’s identification and hearing about nearby business sweeps.
She recalls with emotion the signage and energy of the event: “Nebraska’s not for everyone—but definitely not ICE.” White summed up her experience: “The rallies are about standing up for people who don’t feel safe enough to have a voice.”
What’s At Stake: Democracy, Identity, and the Road Ahead
This week’s surge of discontent encapsulates deep cultural fault lines over authority, immigration, and the future of American democracy. For Democrats, the challenge is twofold. They must harness the righteous anger of their base, while steering clear of optics that could play into Republican law-and-order fears.
Come Monday morning, pundits will analyze whether the No Kings movement can be both potent and controlled enough to energize voters, and whether it can expose what they view as Trump’s authoritarian bluster. The timeline is tight. What Democrats say this weekend, and what they do, could shape the political narrative heading into another high-stakes election season.