On Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025, several hundred impassioned protestors in Fayetteville, their hearts ablaze with the 'No Kings' cause, joined the nationwide demonstrations. The 'No Kings' movement, a fervent call for a future free from tyranny, is a response to perceived injustices and a desire for a more equitable society. Their fervor, like a raging fire, was a powerful force, and a coalition of more than 200 organizations led nationwide protests.

Reportedly, the scale of the movement was immense, with more than 2,700 'No Kings' protests across the U.S. and an estimated seven million participants, a clear indication of the widespread support for the cause. The impact of these protests was felt across sectors—from politics to social media—sparking a national conversation. However, the recent events were much smaller compared to the 15 million to 26 million people who protested George Floyd's murder in 2020.

The 'No Kings' protests, while significant, did not generate much enthusiasm among African Americans, with very few Black people at these rallies. This low participation rate underscores the need to explore the movement's inclusivity and its ability to resonate with all segments of the population. The reasons for this disparity, especially among Black women, need to be thoroughly examined. 

Polling data from the 2024 presidential election shows a shift in Black voter support for the Democratic Party. President Trump nearly doubled his support among Black voters from 2020 to 2024, increasing from 8% to 15% or more. Despite some changes, Black voters continue to broadly support the Democratic ticket. However, younger Black voters' unconditional backing of center-left Democrats, like former North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper, may be diminishing.

Some residents of Cumberland County firmly believe that Roy Cooper also warrants a dedicated "No Kings" rally to voice their concerns and dissatisfaction with his leadership. Cooper expended significant political energy to oppose his rivals, including members of his own party. For example, in the 2022 state legislative primary, Cooper endorsed Val Applewhite for the Cumberland County Senate seat previously held by state Sen. Kirk deViere. deViere voted with the Republican majority on budget matters to support his constituents. Cooper stated that Applewhite was unafraid to confront "Right Wing Republicans." In other words, if you were a Democrat who did not show unwavering loyalty to Governor Roy Cooper, he would attempt to undermine your political standing. Do Cooper's political power plays resemble those often associated with President Trump?

Ultimately, deViere lost his seat to Applewhite; however, his constituents benefited, as Cumberland County received a historic share of the state budget: $490 million.

North Carolina arguably has the weakest governor in the nation. This can be attributed to the Democrats, who governed the state in a 'legislature-first' approach, where the governor has historically taken a backseat to the General Assembly. The Democrats controlled the General Assembly for 140 years, until 2010. This historical context is important to understand the current power dynamics in North Carolina. What if Roy Cooper had absolute power?

Political retribution and the weaponization of government agencies are not new phenomena and certainly not limited to the current occupant of the White House.