Barely over a month after President Donald Trump took the oath of office for his second term in the White House, more than 500 people demonstrated against his policies, particularly cost-cutting through his Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) headed by Elon Musk. At least seven more protests were held in Lake County, culminating with more than 15,000 people opposing the actions of Trump and his administration on Oct. 22 at rallies in Gurnee, Highland Park and Buffalo Grove, making the “No Kings” and related demonstrations one of the Lake County News-Sun’s Top Stories of 2025. For people like Fred Cross of Ingleside, the October rally was more about preserving the United States’ democracy rather than blasting the president. Nevertheless, Cross said Trump is not upholding the oath he took at his second inauguration. “I’ve been a lawyer for 35 years, and I’ve never seen so many people (in power) who have not learned the basic principles of our Constitution,” Cross said at the time. “I’m seeing them violated every day.” U.S. Rep. Brad Schneieder, D-Highland Park, attended many of the rallies, mostly mingling with the crowd and listening to their concerns. On occasion, he made impromptu comments when a large crowd gathered around him. He said recently he has seen the movement grow. “I saw the energy build over the course of the year,” Schneider said. “It started with DOGE and immigration. It was one thing after another, and people’s voices grew stronger. They made their voices heard.” More than 10,000 demonstrators including these sign-holders along Grand Avenue came to a "No Kings" Rally this year in Gurnee. (Steve Sadin/For the Lake County News-Sun) Keith Brin, the chair of the Lake County Republican Central Committee, said in an email Tuesday that the rallies and protests accomplished little, if anything. He countered that there is no king in America, only an elected president. “I don’t think the No Kings and related rallies had any impact,” Brin said. “It didn’t change the course of policy, and didn’t motivate the reflexive Democrat opposition to come out with any cogent solutions to real issues.” Lauren Beth Gash, the chair of the Lake County Democratic Party, said in an email Tuesday that the protests did more than bring people together for a few hours between February and October. They were activated. “The protests brought out people who didn’t just voice their displeasure with Trump, but who have gone on to stay engaged by writing postcards, making phone calls and knocking on doors,” Gash said. “It’s a major reason why Democrats have such momentum heading into 2026.” Rallies like the “Workers Over Billionaires” event in Highland Park on Labor Day brought people of all ages, including Highland Park seventh grader Riley Laughlin. He said he may be young, but he is concerned about the future. “This is about my future,” Laughlin said at the time. “It’s about our democracy and our country.” During a “Good Trouble” rally on July 17 in Waukegan, honoring the late U.S. Rep. John Lewis, D-Georgia, Josie Perez of Park City said Trump’s immigration enforcement policies were scaring people in the Waukegan area. Some will not leave their home, she said. “I’m here for my parents,” she said at the time. “They came here from another country searching for freedom. People shouldn’t ever have to be afraid in America, but ICE is taking people off the streets because they look brown or Hispanic.” With groups like Act Blue and MoveOn already raising money to fund more protest rallies next year, Schneider said he has concerns about the situation when he returns to Washington to continue his work representing people in much of Lake County, as well as the 2026 election. “I’m worried about the next few weeks,” he said. “We cannot drop our guard because Trump will continue to take advantage of it and run with his agenda. We must become increasingly disciplined and vigilant.” Going into 2026, Brin said if Democrats want to hold more rallies criticizing the president, they can, but he does not think it “will impact the elections.” He plans to do the things he said will make a difference. “Republicans will spend our time telling the voters about solutions to real problems, like the cost of living, taxes, and crime,” Brin said. Gash said if Trump continues to “ignore rising costs, attack our rights and act like a ruthless wannabe king,” rallies and protests will grow next year. ...read more read less