Demonstrators are accusing the president of abusing his power and undermining democracy

Large crowds across the US rallied under the 'No Kings' banner on Saturday to protest President Donald Trump's policies.

Rallies were held outside the Capitol in Washington, DC, and in Times Square in New York, as well as in cities including Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami, and Austin. More than 2,700 events were planned across all 50 US states, according to Axios.

Protesters carried posters reading "No kings, no oligarchs" and "I pledge allegiance to no king," accusing Trump of abusing power and condemning his crackdown on illegal migrants. They also rejected his orders to deploy the National Guard to several cities under the pretext of fighting crime.

"The president thinks his rule is absolute. But in America, we don't have kings and we won't back down against chaos, corruption, and cruelty," organizers said on the 'No Kings' website.

Left-wing Senator Bernie Sanders addressed the rally in DC, saying the protesters were motivated by the will to "defend our democracy and our freedoms." House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries backed the demonstrations, telling MSNBC that "peaceful expression of dissent is entirely consistent with the American way."

Republicans have portrayed the movement as driven by radical groups. "We call it the 'hate America' rally that will happen Saturday," House Speaker Mike Johnson said on Wednesday. "I bet you'll see Hamas supporters, I bet you'll see antifa types, I bet you'll see the Marxists on full display."

White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt told Fox News on Thursday that "the Democrat Party's main constituency are made up of Hamas terrorists, illegal aliens, and violent criminals."

(RT.com)