MSNBC STUNNED After NO KINGS Protests TURN VIOLENT ON AIR As Military Parade ENDS IN MASSIVE SUCCESS
A massive military parade took place in Washington, D.C., celebrating the U.S. Army’s 250th anniversary and former President Trump’s 79th birthday. Across the country, “No Kings” protests erupted in over 2,000 cities, drawing millions who rallied under slogans rejecting authoritarianism and Trump’s use of military spectacle youtube.com+15apnews.com+15theguardian.com+15.
On air at MSNBC, reporters appeared visibly reactive as clips showed protests escalating into clashes with police and occasional unrest in cities like Los Angeles, Philadelphia, and Portland theguardian.com+1nypost.com+1. Violent incidents included police deploying tear gas in L.A., protesters arrested in Philadelphia, a vehicle driving into demonstrators in Virginia, and at least one shooting-related shelter-in-place in Minnesota tied to the tragic killing of State Rep. Hortman washingtonpost.com+9theguardian.com+9apnews.com+9.
On air at MSNBC, reporters appeared visibly reactive as clips showed protests escalating into clashes with police and occasional unrest in cities like Los Angeles, Philadelphia, and Portland. The "No Kings" demonstrations, initially framed as peaceful by progressive organizers, quickly devolved in several locations. Violent incidents included police deploying tear gas to control crowds in L.A., multiple arrests for property damage and assaults in Philadelphia, a vehicle driving into demonstrators in Virginia, and at least one shooting-related shelter-in-place in Minnesota, linked to the high-profile assassination of State Rep. Melissa Hortman.
As the "No Kings" protests gained momentum nationwide on June 14, a parallel crisis was unfolding in Minnesota that directly tied into the escalating tensions. In the northern suburbs of Minneapolis, law enforcement issued a shelter-in-place order following a politically charged double homicide: the targeted killing of State Representative Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark. The attack occurred inside their Brooklyn Park home and was reportedly carried out by a man impersonating a law enforcement officer—later identified as 57-year-old Vance Luther Boelter.
Boelter, who had been previously appointed to a state workforce development board by both Governor Tim Walz and former Governor Mark Dayton, quickly became the focus of a statewide manhunt. Just hours before the Hortman shooting, Boelter had also shot State Senator John Hoffman and his wife in nearby Champlin. Both survived but were hospitalized in critical condition. As details emerged, authorities linked Boelter’s actions to a broader ideological motive, bolstered by the discovery of a manifesto and anti-government material, including flyers labeled with the phrase “No Kings.”
The proximity of the shootings to the national "No Kings" demonstrations—along with Boelter’s known affiliations with state government and radical anti-authority sentiments—prompted immediate speculation about whether the violence in Minnesota was part of a wider uprising or simply timed to coincide with it. Law enforcement and federal investigators treated the situation with heightened urgency, not only because of the nature of the crimes, but because of fears that Boelter could have planned additional attacks or might inspire copycats within the ideological fringes of the protest movement.
The shelter-in-place order in parts of Hennepin and Anoka counties remained active for several hours, as tactical units swept neighborhoods and blocked roadways in search of Boelter, who was considered armed and dangerous. Schools and government buildings went into lockdown, and several “No Kings” demonstrations in Minnesota were abruptly canceled due to safety concerns.
For many conservatives, the Minnesota shootings and their potential connection to protest rhetoric served as a wake-up call. They questioned whether radicalized messaging—intended to challenge perceived authoritarianism—had begun to manifest in violent and anarchic ways. Some right-leaning voices argued that the phrase “No Kings,” while historically rooted in anti-monarchical sentiment, was being twisted into a justification for targeted violence against public officials and civil institutions. The killing of a sitting lawmaker and the assault on another, all amid a day of unrest, underscored concerns that anti-establishment ideology had crossed a dangerous line.
Conservative commentators have seized on the chaos to highlight what they see as the media’s selective outrage and refusal to call out left-wing political violence. They point to the live MSNBC coverage—visibly stunned by the events unfolding—as proof that even progressive networks couldn’t avoid the reality of radical agitation when it spirals out of control. Critics argue that if the ideological branding of the protests had leaned right, the media narrative would have immediately labeled the events as insurrectionist or domestic terrorism.
Moreover, some on the right have called attention to the irony of protesting militarism and "authoritarianism" while simultaneously engaging in violent disruption of public spaces and intimidating elected officials. They view the contrast between the dignified and successful military parade—celebrating national history and service—and the aggressive rhetoric and behavior of protestors as a telling indictment of modern leftist activism. Several GOP leaders have since called for investigations into protest organizers, claiming links to radical anti-government movements that should be held accountable under federal law.
Despite these tensions, the parade remained unimpeded—featuring tanks, aircraft flyovers, historical military units, and a presidential address. Trump used the moment to swear in 250 enlistees and project strength via federal forces presence apnews.com+1theguardian.com+1.
In response, several Republican governors deployed National Guard to protect infrastructure and deter unrest, while cities like Los Angeles experienced heightened law enforcement activity with tear gas and crowd control npr.org+14theguardian.com+14nypost.com+14. Left-leaning activists decried Trump’s actions as authoritarian, accusing him of echoing monarch-like behavior—calling the use of military for domestic pageantry a threat to democracy .
Still, organizers maintained the protests were largely peaceful, emphasizing democratic values rather than violence, even as authorities noted isolated escalations .
THE BRUTAL TRUTH JUNE 2025
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