Political commentator Jessica Tarlov is spotlighting a surge of grassroots dissent against the second Trump administration, using the massive “No Kings” protests as a barometer of rising political energy on the left. In a recent post on X, she noted that what began as millions of protesters has grown even bigger — from around 6 million to nearly 8 million people nationwide — with more than 3,300 rallies in all 50 states, including suburbs and small towns. That turnout, organizers say, makes March’s protest the largest single-day demonstration in U.S. history.
Tarlov tied this visible energy on the streets to real political consequences inside Washington: a record 36 House Republicans have announced early retirements, which she argues reflects GOP anxiety about the coming elections, and polling shows Donald Trump’s approval stuck at historically weak levels — around 40% or lower by some measures.
Historically, when a president’s approval dips below 50%, the president’s party tends to lose significant ground in Congress — on average dozens of seats. Democrats, Tarlov points out, only need a handful of flips to take control of the House and Senate. That’s why she says the energy behind these protests is “real and growing” — and could translate into major electoral consequences next year.
Political commentator Jessica Tarlov is spotlighting a surge of grassroots dissent against the second Trump administration, using the massive “No Kings” protests as a barometer of rising political energy on the left. In a recent post on X, she noted that what began as millions of protesters has grown even bigger — from around 6 million to nearly 8 million people nationwide — with more than 3,300 rallies in all 50 states, including suburbs and small towns. That turnout, organizers say, makes March’s protest the largest single-day demonstration in U.S. history.
Tarlov tied this visible energy on the streets to real political consequences inside Washington: a record 36 House Republicans have announced early retirements, which she argues reflects GOP anxiety about the coming elections, and polling shows Donald Trump’s approval stuck at historically weak levels — around 40% or lower by some measures.
Historically, when a president’s approval dips below 50%, the president’s party tends to lose significant ground in Congress — on average dozens of seats. Democrats, Tarlov points out, only need a handful of flips to take control of the House and Senate. That’s why she says the energy behind these protests is “real and growing” — and could translate into major electoral consequences next year.
