Fact check: What is the historical origin of the phrase 'no king' in political movements?

1. Summary of the results

The phrase "no king" has both historical and contemporary significance. Historically, it emerged from the founding principles of the United States as a rejection of monarchical power and authority ^[1]. The phrase is deeply rooted in anarchist philosophy, where it appears alongside other anti-authoritarian slogans like "No gods, no masters!" and "Property is theft!" ^[2]. In 2025, the phrase gained renewed prominence during massive nationwide protests against President Trump, with over 5 million people participating in more than 2,000 events ^[3].

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

The original question misses several crucial contexts:

• The phrase is part of a broader anarchist tradition of anti-authoritarian slogans and symbols, including the black flag and circle-A, dating back to the late 19th century ^[4]
• The contemporary use specifically relates to protests against President Trump's perceived authoritarian actions, including:
• Defiance of court orders
• Extralegal deportations
• Disregard for civil rights ^[3]
• The timing of the 2025 protests was strategically chosen to coincide with both the U.S. Army 250th Anniversary Parade and Trump's birthday on June 14th ^[5]

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

The question's framing as purely historical misses the phrase's evolving contemporary significance:

• Political Organizations: The Indivisible movement and its partner organizations have repurposed the phrase for their specific political agenda ^[3]
• Ideological Groups: Various groups benefit from different interpretations:
• Traditional anarchists use it as part of their broader anti-authoritarian philosophy ^[2]
• Contemporary protesters use it specifically to criticize Trump's presidency ^[1]
• The phrase serves both as a historical reminder of American democratic principles and as a modern political tool for opposing perceived executive overreach ^[3]