Americans are protesting the Trump administration. Do they work?

Summary

Consider This from NPR: Americans Are Protesting the Trump Administration. Do They Work?

Release Date: April 24, 2025

In this insightful episode of NPR's "Consider This," host Juana Summers delves into the effectiveness of contemporary protest movements against the Trump administration. Drawing parallels with historic civil rights demonstrations, the episode features expert analysis from Harvard Kennedy School political scientist Erica Chenoweth and reflections from activist Roger Wilkins. The discussion centers on whether modern protests are influencing public opinion and policy changes, echoing the successes and challenges of past movements.

---

1. Historical Context: The Power of Peaceful Protest

The episode opens with a reflection on the iconic 1963 March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, a cornerstone of the American civil rights movement. Activist Roger Wilkins reminisces about the day's jubilant atmosphere and broad-based support:

"It was such a joyous day. There was such a broad array of support from whites, Jews, Christians, labor... It was thrilling, uplifting." (Wilkins, 00:08)

Juana Summers highlights the significance of Martin Luther King Jr.'s seminal "I Have a Dream" speech delivered from the Lincoln Memorial steps:

"Just as I have a dream, my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character." (Martin Luther King Jr., 02:14)

The aftermath of the march saw pivotal legislative victories, including the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965, underscoring the movement's tangible impact.

---

2. The Modern Landscape: Protests Against the Trump Administration

Transitioning to the present, Summers sets the stage by outlining the tumultuous first hundred days of Donald Trump's second presidential term. The administration has been marked by significant layoffs of federal workers, controversial deportations, and an unusual dynamic with tech magnate Elon Musk. Amidst these developments, protests have surged across the country, exemplified by the "Hands Off" rallies:

[Sounds of rally] (04:51)

These demonstrations, totaling over 1,300 events by April 5th, reflect widespread discontent and mobilization against various administration policies.

---

3. Analyzing Protest Effectiveness with Erica Chenoweth

To assess whether these protests are influencing change, Summers consults Erica Chenoweth, a renowned expert in civil resistance. Chenoweth outlines four key factors that contribute to the success of social movements:

1. Size: Large protests garner more attention and demonstrate significant public support.
2. Diversity: A varied crowd indicates widespread agreement with the movement's goals.
3. Discipline: Maintaining a clear message and strategy fosters public sympathy.
4. Strategic Shifts in Support: Effective movements can sway influential groups and institutions.

"A very large protest is much more likely to get noticed, to demonstrate people power, to have a large symbolic impact." (Chenoweth, 05:07)

Chenoweth references historical movements like Black Lives Matter and MeToo, emphasizing their role in shifting public discourse and policy.

---

4. Historical and Contemporary Impacts on Elections

Exploring the political implications of protests, Chenoweth cites studies demonstrating the correlation between large-scale protests and electoral outcomes. For instance, the Tea Party protests of April 2009 significantly influenced the 2010 midterm elections, aiding Tea Party candidates in securing victories:

"Having a Tea Party protest in one's district and having it be particularly large protest was strongly correlated to whether Tea Party candidates both won the primaries and then won those elections." (Chenoweth, 06:12)

Similarly, research indicates that the Black Lives Matter protests in summer 2020 impacted vote shares in the 2020 presidential election, suggesting that organized protests can sway public opinion and electoral results.

---

5. Adapting to the Current Political Climate

Addressing the unique challenges of today's political environment, Chenoweth acknowledges the shifts in rules and norms that may affect protest efficacy:

"We’re in a very different political moment here in the United States where rules and norms are changing and in many cases being ignored." (Chenoweth, 07:15)

She underscores the importance of adhering to successful protest fundamentals despite these changes, noting that foundational principles remain relevant even as the political landscape evolves.

---

6. Triggers for Mobilization: Catalysts for Protest

Changoweth discusses what drives individuals to participate in protests, highlighting the role of significant triggering events. She explains that dramatic occurrences, such as declarations of martial law or blatant breaches of the rule of law, can rapidly mobilize public action:

"A catalyzing moment like that one can really snap people into action... there's no way to predict what types of triggers will lead people to that outcome." (Chenoweth, 09:04)

Other common triggers include perceived election fraud and instances of police brutality, which can galvanize widespread demands for accountability and justice.

---

7. Looking Ahead: The Future of Protests in the United States

As the episode concludes, Chenoweth emphasizes the enduring relevance of protest movements in shaping democratic governance:

"The general principles of what has made democracy movements successful in the past would not apply here... but we are in somewhat uncharted territory." (Chenoweth, 07:29)

She urges contemporary activists to learn from historical successes while navigating the complexities of the modern political arena.

---

Conclusion

"Consider This: Americans Are Protesting the Trump Administration. Do They Work?" offers a comprehensive examination of the role and effectiveness of protest movements in the United States. Through expert insights and historical parallels, the episode provides listeners with a nuanced understanding of how organized public dissent can influence political landscapes and drive societal change. As the nation continues to navigate its current challenges, the episode underscores the enduring power of collective action in the pursuit of democracy and justice.

---

Production Credits:

• Produced by: Megan Lim
• Edited by: Courtney Dorning
• Executive Producer: Sammy Yenigun
• Host: Juana Summers

Transcript

[Juana Summers]

When you think of a successful protest movement, most Americans probably think of the American civil rights movement and the March.

[Erica Chenoweth]

On Washington in 1963.

[Roger Wilkins]

It was such a joyous day. There was such a broad array of support from whites, Jews, Christians, labor for those of us who were born in segregation. As I was to come and see this array of powerful white Americans coming in on our side was thrilling, uplifting. And we went away, many of us, I among them, euphoric.

[Juana Summers]

That's activist Roger Wilkins. Recalling the historic day in 2008. Wilkins and Martin Luther King, Jr. Biographer Taylor Branch spoke to NPR for the 45th anniversary of that march and Dr. King's famous speech. The day was a powerful and star studded event, attracting the likes of singer Harry Belafonte, union leader A. Philip Ranch Randolph, and of course, Martin Luther King, Jr. But at the time, Branch says, Washington was bracing itself for immense violence. As protesters filled the city, they expected.

[Taylor Branch]

Riot and mayhem to a degree that is almost impossible to apprehend today unless you go back and read the records. Liquor sales were canceled in the District of Columbia for the first time since the end of prohibition in 1933. Plasma was stockpiled. Elective surgery was canceled.

[Juana Summers]

But of course, that didn't happen. And the March on Washington is remembered as the model of peaceful and effective protest, despite the passion that had brought the hundreds of thousands to Washington that day. You can hear that passion in the voice of John Lewis, then the chairman of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee.

[Martin Luther King Jr.]

Those who have said be patient and wait. We must say that we cannot be patient. We do not want our freedom gradually, but we want to be free now.

[Juana Summers]

And of course, at 5:00 that day.

[Martin Luther King Jr.]

I have the pleasure to present to you Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

[Juana Summers]

Standing behind a podium on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, delivered his most famous speech in a line that would come to define the goals of the civil rights movement.

[Martin Luther King Jr.]

Just as I have a dream, my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character. I have a dream today.

[Juana Summers]

President Lyndon Johnson signed the Civil Rights act just nine months after the march. A year after that, Johnson signed the National Voting Rights act of 1965. Consider this. The quest for equality still continues. In the decades since that bright summer day in August 1963, many other Americans have tried to use the model of protest to achieve their political goals. But do protests work? From npr, I'm Juana Summers.

[A. Martinez]

NPR informs and connects communities around the country, providing reliable information in times of crisis. Federal funding helps us fulfill our mission to create a more informed public and ensures that public radio remains available to everyone. Learn more about safeguarding the future of public media, visit protectmypublicmedia.org 99% of the.

[Malcolm Gladwell]

U.S. population lives within listening range of at least one public media station and everyone can listen to NPR podcasts free of charge. That means you get completely unpaywalled access to stories, prize winning reporting, and shows that represent the voices in every corner of the country. Hear the bigger picture every day on npr.

[Sammy Yenigun]

Hey, it's A. Martinez. Even as the host of a news show, it can be hard to keep up with the headlines. That is why we make the Up first podcast every morning. In under 15 minutes we cover three major stories with context and analysis from reporters around the world so you can catch up on Lo Queta Pasando while getting ready, making desayuno, or going to work. So listen to the upverse podcast from npr.

[Juana Summers]

It's Consider this from npr. The first hundred days of Donald Trump's second presidential term have been characterized by layoffs of federal workers, questionable deportations of protesters, and his unusual relationship with Elon Musk. And through all of that, there have been protests in different parts of the.

[Erica Chenoweth]

Country.

[Juana Summers]

That sound from one of the 1300 Hands off rallies that took place on April 5th. But are those protests changing any minds or changing any policies? Those are questions I put to Harvard Kennedy School of Government political scientist Erica Chenoweth.

[Erica Chenoweth]

What is it that makes a protest effective?

[Eric Kuchenwyth]

So the the literature really suggests that there are four key things that help social movements in general succeed. So one of the things is size. So a very large protest is much more likely to get noticed, to demonstrate people power, to have a large symbolic impact, and potentially to begin to shift people's understandings about the stakes of an event or a set of claims that are emerging from it. A very diverse crowd also suggests that whatever the protesters are saying is something that's widely shared. Protests that are disciplined, that is to say that they stick to their own message and their own plan tactics, are more likely to elicit sympathy or sympathetic views. And the movements that are the most effective are those that begin to shift the loyalties of people in different pillars of support.

[Erica Chenoweth]

As I think about some of the biggest protests that I've seen, at least in my lifetime, they've come from the political left. I'm thinking about things like the Black Lives Matter movement, MeToo, the war in Gaza. I wonder, has that been the case.

[Eric Kuchenwyth]

Historically, you know, a prominent paper actually looks at the impacts of the Tea party protests of April 15th of 2009 on the 2010 midterm elections. So what they did find is that having a Tea Party protest in one's district and having it be particularly large protest was strongly correlated basically to whether Tea Party candidates both, you know, won the primaries and then won those elections. And so we see that whether it's on the right or left, there's a pretty consistent story in the role of protests in shifting electoral behavior, even if those impacts on elections are modest in terms of the percentage of the vote that might be shifted. And then just about three weeks ago, a paper came out basically arguing that the same story did hold with regard to the Black Lives Matter protests over the summer of 2020, impacting vote share in the 2020 presidential election.

[Erica Chenoweth]

You know, we've largely been backward looking in discussing what makes protests effective or successful, but I am curious because we're in a very different political moment here in the United States where rules and norms are changing and in many cases being ignored.

[Juana Summers]

Do you think that the lessons that.

[Erica Chenoweth]

We'Ve been talking about today apply to the current political moment?

[Eric Kuchenwyth]

I think they do. I don't have any reason to believe that the general principles of what has made democracy movements successful in the past would not apply here. There are a couple of caveats to that. The first is that the United States is a massive country. The other caveat, though, is that during the period that most of the research has been done about what makes movements succeed, that period was the period of, you know, basically US global hegemony. So the sort of post World War II period is when we saw mass nonviolent civil resistance movements become an important engine driving democratic transitions and the global spread of democracy over the next number of years and decades. But if the United States is not anymore in a position where it is even just representing that it itself is committed to democracy at home and abroad, then we are in somewhat unchartered territory.

[Juana Summers]

I have a question for you about what pushes people to actually take to the streets.

[Erica Chenoweth]

You earlier mentioned the example of South Korea, where of course, there was this dramatic event, this declaration of martial law that happened and that triggered massive protests. I wonder, is it more difficult for.

[Juana Summers]

Protests to gain stream if, say, for.

[Erica Chenoweth]

Instance, rights are the rule of law are infringed on bit by bit, rather than with a big catalyzing moment like that one that we've been talking about.

[Eric Kuchenwyth]

I do think that a bright line like that, a catalyzing moment can really snap people into action. And there's a sense that once you sort of break through whatever was holding the person back from participating, once they break through that barrier, whether it's fear or just apathy or demoralization, that there's actually like no going back. There's no way to predict what types of triggers will lead people to that outcome. But certainly a coup attempt would be one of them or some kind of sudden and shocking usurpation of power. And then there are other there are sort of two others that people have found in the literature that tend to be common triggers. One is a stolen election or an election that obviously is rife with such significant problems that basically nobody believes really the outcome. And then incidences of police brutality or brutality by state authorities, which can often trigger demands for accountability. And then if those demands are suppressed, that can then trigger a much broader set of demands by a much broader set of people. For justice.

[Erica Chenoweth]

We've been speaking with Eric Kuchenwyth, author and civil resistance researcher. Thank you.

[Roger Wilkins]

Thank you.

[Juana Summers]

This episode was produced by Megan Lim. It was edited by Courtney Dorning. Our executive producer is Sammy Yenigun. It's Consider this from npr.

[Erica Chenoweth]

I'm Juana Summers.

[Courtney Dorning]

Climate change is drying up some water supplies and making others undrinkable. That's why Here and Now, Anytime is covering the hunt for fresh water, from a pipeline in the Great Lakes to the science of desalination to extreme recycling that turns sewage into clean drinking water. That's Here and Now. Anytime. A podcast from NPR and WBUR.

[Malcolm Gladwell]

When Malcolm Gladwell presented NPR's Throughline podcast with a Peabody Award, he praised it for its historical and moral clarity. On Throughline, we take you back in time to the origins of what's in the news, like presidential power, aging and evangelicalism. Time travel with us every week on the Throughline Podcast from npr.

[A. Martinez]

Want to hear this podcast without sponsor breaks? Amazon prime members can listen to Consider this sponsor free through Amazon Music. Or you can also support NPR's vital journalism and get consider this [e-mail] that's plus.NPR.org.