Recently, Democratic lawmakers faced criticism for their about-face on monarchy, transitioning from participating in “No King” protests to warmly welcoming King Charles III in various settings, including Parliament.
Prince Charles’ address illustrated a stark contrast between prior anti-monarchy sentiments among those lawmakers and the enthusiastic reception he received while speaking to Congress.
Rep. Mike Collins, a Republican from Georgia, called out Democratic Sen. Jon Ossoff for seeming hypocritical, pointing out that Ossoff had expressed his opposition to monarchy just weeks prior at a protest in Savannah where he chanted “No Kings.” Collins remarked, “Isn’t this the same Jon Ossoff who was yelling ‘No Kings’ just a short while ago? Suddenly, he’s got front row seats for the king.”
After Charles’ speech, Rep. Greg Steube from Florida noted the lack of the “No Kings” crowd during the event, suggesting that public anger is selective depending on who is speaking.
At the March 29 protest in Minnesota, Rep. Ilhan Omar said, while sharing a stage with Sen. Bernie Sanders, that the U.S. pledges loyalty to the Constitution, not a monarch.
The day before, Rep. Don Beyer from Virginia highlighted the exercise of free speech against President Trump at a “No Kings” rally in his district, captioning his social media post, “No Kings, Now and Never.”
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer even introduced the No-Kings Act of 2024, criticizing the Supreme Court’s ruling that protects presidents from criminal prosecution for actions taken while in office.
Amusingly, former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani remarked on the irony of the “No King” protest leaders giving King Charles a standing ovation, implying a discrepancy in their stance.
Images from Charles’ address showed several representatives who once claimed to support the “No Kings” movement applauding warmly.
While some proclaimed their anti-monarchy stance, there were instances of representatives like Omar taking selfies with the king, leading to critiques about the perceived inconsistency in their actions.
Senator Ashley Moody of Florida questioned the seeming double standard, wondering aloud why she saw Democrats applauding for a king.
Commentators and politicians alike echoed similar sentiments—viewing the Democratic response as contradictory. Even President Trump weighed in on the protests, asserting, “I’m not a king; I work hard,” in an interview where he also addressed other protest matters.
As King Charles returned to London, some Democratic leaders, particularly those in Virginia, expressed dismay over Trump’s concessions to the monarchy, particularly regarding trade with Scotland’s whiskey industry.
With comments such as “We now have orders from the King,” made by Virginia Senate leaders, the situation highlighted ongoing tensions and debates regarding the role of monarchy and democratic values in the U.S.
