Podcast Summary: "Sustaining The Movement After No Kings"

What A Day by Crooked Media, hosted by Jane Coaston, delivers a comprehensive analysis of the pivotal events shaping the political landscape in the United States. In the episode titled "Sustaining The Movement After No Kings," released on June 16, 2025, Jane Coaston delves into the massive No Kings protests, the Trump administration's policies, and the challenges of maintaining momentum in progressive activism.

1. Introduction and Context

The episode opens with Jane Coaston addressing a series of pressing issues. She highlights a controversial moment involving a Fox News guest who critiqued President Donald Trump while visibly intoxicated, exemplifying the intense and often chaotic media environment surrounding Trump's administration. Jane sets the stage by mentioning the Trump administration's proposal to expand the travel ban to include over 30 additional countries and the heightened alert among lawmakers following a deadly attack on Minnesota state legislators.

2. The No Kings March

Jane transitions to discussing the No Kings march that took place on Saturday, where over 200,000 New Yorkers joined the streets in protest. This march was part of a nationwide movement against the Trump administration's policies, including immigration raids, Medicaid cuts, and the President's military parade. Remarkably, approximately 5 million people across various cities—from blue to red states—participated in the No Kings protests, starkly contrasting with the significantly smaller attendance at Trump's military parade.

Jane Coaston [01:50]: "An estimated 5 million people attended a No Kings protest this weekend. That compares to the, well, definitely not 5 million people who attended Trump's military parade."

The massive turnout underscores a widespread disapproval of Trump's policies and leadership, with participants spanning diverse geographic and political backgrounds.

3. Interview with Maurice Mitchell

To gain deeper insights, Jane interviews Maurice Mitchell, the National Director of the Working Families Party.

a. Scale and Diversity of Protests

Maurice emphasizes the unprecedented scale of the protests, labeling it "the single largest day of protest in history." He attributes this surge to the broad opposition against Trump and MAGA-era policies that adversely affect various communities.

Maurice Mitchell [02:51]: "Trump and MAGA and this movement is deeply, deeply unpopular with American people. And the momentum is on our side."

He points out that protests occurred even in small towns, such as Pentwater, Michigan, demonstrating that dissatisfaction is not confined to traditionally liberal areas.

b. Motivations and Issues Driving the Movement

Reflecting on his experience attending rallies in Long Island, Maurice describes the atmosphere as highly energetic, driven by the alarming nature of Trump's immigration raids and federal overreach.

Maurice Mitchell [03:43]: "Saturday provided an opportunity for people to take their alarm and that energy and do something very, very productive with it."

He highlights the inclusion of new participants, increased creativity in protest expressions, and greater age and racial diversity as indicators of a broadening and deepening movement.

Maurice Mitchell [04:35]: "I saw a lot of creativity. Right. You know, a good mark of a good rally is the, the organic creativity that you see with people's signs and the way that people are expressing themselves."

c. Sustaining the Movement

Jane probes into the strategies for maintaining the momentum of such a large-scale movement without facing burnout. Maurice advises the importance of organizational involvement over individual activism to ensure sustained engagement and impact.

Maurice Mitchell [11:14]: "Find an organization that aligns with you. And if you can't find an organization, it might mean that you might need to build one. Right? Don't go alone. That's the number one way that you could burn yourself out."

He advocates for being part of structured groups like the Working Families Party to maintain purpose and resilience in the face of ongoing challenges.

4. Related News

a. Israel-Iran Conflict

The episode briefly touches upon escalating tensions between Israel and Iran. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced a preemptive strike against Iran's nuclear capabilities, leading to reciprocal attacks from Iran that resulted in casualties. The conflict remains unresolved, with ongoing airstrikes and international concern.

b. Attack in Minnesota

A tragic incident in Minnesota is detailed, where Senator Amy Klobuchar expressed her dismay over political violence following the assassination of State Representative Melissa Hortman and her husband. The suspect, Vance Belter, posed as a police officer and targeted local politicians and abortion rights advocates, leaving behind manifestos promoting the No Kings movement.

c. Trump's Travel Ban Expansion

The Trump administration is reportedly expanding its travel ban to 36 additional countries, citing national security concerns related to identity documents and passports. Most of the countries affected are from Africa, Latin America, the Middle East, the Pacific region, and Asia. The memo requires these countries to meet specific benchmarks within 60 days or face travel restrictions.

Jane Coaston [14:40]: "The Washington Post and other outlets say they've seen a memo that cites national security concerns about identity documents and passports issued by those 36 countries."

This move signifies a significant shift in immigration policy, reflecting Trump's ongoing stringent stance despite economic pressures and opposition from key industry stakeholders.

5. Conclusion

Jane Coaston wraps up the episode by reinforcing the significance of grassroots movements in shaping political discourse and policy. The massive participation in the No Kings march signals a robust resistance against Trump's administration, emphasizing the collective power of organized and sustained activism. Through insightful dialogue with Maurice Mitchell and coverage of related national and international events, the episode underscores the dynamic and evolving nature of political mobilization in contemporary America.

Notable Quotes:

• Jane Coaston [01:50]: "An estimated 5 million people attended a No Kings protest this weekend. That compares to the, well, definitely not 5 million people who attended Trump's military parade."

• Maurice Mitchell [02:51]: "Trump and MAGA and this movement is deeply, deeply unpopular with American people. And the momentum is on our side."

• Maurice Mitchell [11:14]: "Find an organization that aligns with you. And if you can't find an organization, it might mean that you might need to build one. Right? Don't go alone. That's the number one way that you could burn yourself out."

This episode serves as a crucial touchpoint for understanding the current political climate, the fervor behind large-scale protests, and the strategies necessary to sustain meaningful social movements.