Protecting the Wrong People

 The Real Dangers Behind the “No Kings” Movement

In recent months, some groups have begun organizing under slogans like “No Kings,” claiming to stand up against what they call government “overreach.” At first glance, their message might sound like a call for freedom or independence - but a closer look reveals something far more troubling.

These protests aren’t just rejecting authority; they’re rejecting accountability. And in doing so, they’re protecting the very criminal elements that federal authorities are legally obligated to remove from our communities.

What Federal Enforcement Actually Does

Federal agencies such as Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) exist because local, county, and state law enforcement can’t always address crimes that cross borders or jurisdictions.

These agencies track and remove individuals involved in:

• Drug trafficking and cartel operations

• Human trafficking and exploitation networks

• Organized gang activity

• Weapons smuggling and violent offenses

• Serious repeat offenders who evade state prosecution

While local police focus on immediate community safety, federal agents have the resources and authority to investigate and dismantle large-scale criminal operations that destroy lives across multiple states or even countries.

Without federal coordination, these networks would thrive - and local officers, already stretched thin, would have little ability to stop them.

Why the “No Kings” Protest Is Dangerous

Protesters demanding that the federal government “stand down” from enforcing laws may not realize what they’re actually asking. When federal agencies are told to back off, it’s not peaceful neighbors who benefit - it’s violent offenders, drug traffickers, and predators who are given more time to operate unchecked.

It’s easy to call for limits on enforcement when you don’t see the consequences up close. But talk to the families devastated by fentanyl overdoses, the victims rescued from trafficking, or the communities terrorized by cartel-linked violence, and you’ll see the cost of inaction.

The Constitutional Duty to Protect

The U.S. Constitution isn’t just a set of ideals - it establishes the duties of government to maintain order, enforce laws, and protect the public. Federal law enforcement is part of that framework.

When protesters demand that the government ignore these duties, they are asking for a selective application of the law - one that benefits criminals at the expense of working people, families, and public safety. That kind of divisive rhetoric weakens trust in institutions and puts communities, including union members and their families, at greater risk.

Protecting Communities, Not Criminals

PAGE members, like all public workers, know the value of safety, structure, and accountability. We show up every day to serve our community, and we rely on laws being upheld fairly and consistently. Supporting law enforcement’s legitimate role in keeping our neighborhoods safe isn’t about politics - it’s about protecting our coworkers, our families, and our way of life.

The next time you see a protest claiming to “stand up to the government,” look beyond the slogans. Ask who really benefits if law enforcement stands down - and who pays the price when they do?

Because when the loudest voices demand the government ignore its duty, it’s not freedom they’re protecting. It’s the criminals we’re all trying to keep out of our communities.