His campaign an ‘Indivisible’ partner
By Aaron Warner & Paul Bean
As the nation braces for another weekend of sweeping protests under the banner of the “No Kings” movement, Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders has emerged as a central political figure urging resistance against what he calls a dangerous slide toward authoritarianism under President Donald Trump.
The “No Kings” demonstrations — scheduled for Saturday, June 14 — will unfold across an estimated 1800 locations nationwide. As reported by VDC yesterday, these include 30 in Vermont alone, in 28 towns and cities (three in Burlington), the highest per-capita in the nation. Vermont climate activist Bill McKibben has urged Vermonters to take part in a local rally as a way of showing opposition for the Trump administration’s crackdown on illegal immigration in Los Angeles.
Promoted heavily by the progressive group Indivisible, the movement claims to stand for democracy and resistance to tyranny. No Kings partner organizations include liberal religious, pro-immigration groups Bend the Arc Jewish Action and Catholic Vote Common Good, and ‘Bernie,’ Sanders’ campaign organization.
But the movement’s grassroots image has been sharply questioned. Critics have labeled it “astro-turfed,” pointing to its founding by former congressional staffers Leah Greenberg and Ezra Levin, and financial backing from figures like George Soros (more than $7 million since 2016, according to Soros’ Open Society website) and Walmart heiress Christy Walton.
Online, anonymous classified ads in L.A. recruiting private contractors with military or tactical backgrounds—offering $6,500 to $12,500 per week—have fueled concerns that the protests are being orchestrated and potentially militarized behind the scenes.
The ad goes on to state the individual requesting is “building a crew” and looking for some of the following qualifications:
“Mental toughness – You keep a level head under pressure. You don’t panic. Bravery – You face danger head-on. You don’t hesitate. Reliability – You show up when it counts. No excuses, no disappearing acts. Strength (mental & physical) – You can endure discomfort, pain, stress — and stay focused. Team discipline – You work well under leadership and with others. You know when to lead, when to follow, and how to keep cool when things get hairy. BONUS EXPERIENCE: Military (except for marines, we don’t work with marines anymore, long story), law enforcement, or private security background, Background in crisis situations, tactical response, or high-intensity roles, Experience facing trained opposition (military or otherwise).”
Against this backdrop, Sanders has been vocal and unwavering in his support for the protests and broader resistance efforts. Earlier this year, Sanders joined Vermont officials Becca Balint and Peter Welch on a virtual call urging renewed activism. While Balint pushed for greater public engagement, Sanders was clear on the stakes, framing the Trump administration’s actions as a direct threat to democracy.
On The Late Show with Stephen Colbert in May, Sanders invoked the specter of fascism: “Think about the men and women who fought and died against Hitler… We cannot and must not sit back and allow us to move into an authoritarian type society.” When asked whether the resistance should begin before the next election, Sanders did not hesitate: “Yes… We have got to use all of the tools that we can in Congress and out on the streets.”
His remarks came days before Trump invoked emergency powers to deploy the National Guard to Los Angeles in response to civil unrest following aggressive ICE raids on immigrant communities. Sanders condemned the move on social media, stating: “Massive illegal raids, then a crackdown, then a state of emergency, then troops in the streets. This is authoritarianism.”
Trump’s executive action—framed as a response to an “illegal immigration crisis”—has been met with resistance from across Vermont’s delegation. Senator Welch criticized the president’s decision to deploy federal forces without the state’s consent, calling it “blatant intimidation.” Representative Balint added that “ICE descended upon immigrant communities in LA, targeting innocent people,” and called the deployment “a scary escalation meant to sow even more fear and division.”
While the “No Kings” organizers post disclaimers urging nonviolence, protest days in the past have often turned chaotic—raising concerns that violent episodes may once again erupt. Whether grassroots or not, Sanders’ support gives the movement undeniable political legitimacy on the national stage. But critics argue that by aligning with such unrest—particularly in a volatile moment—Sanders risks fueling the very instability he says he wants to prevent.
On the flip side, recent reporting from the Jimmy Dore show suggests the Trump administration is moving ahead with plans to adopt Palantir mass surveillance software into all levels of federal government agencies which would streamline the government’s ability to establish Chinese Communist Party level social control. Some observers speculate that both sides are playing the American public for a long established desired outcome of the globalist elite who have stated, dating back to 19th century British novelist H.G. Wells, their desire for a technocratically run socialist one-world government.
As demonstrations ignite across Vermont and the country this weekend, one thing is clear: Senator Bernie Sanders is not just watching the resistance—he’s helping to lead it.