Protesters at the rallies have accused the Trump administration of authoritarian policies — from immigration crackdowns and mass firings of federal workers to attacks on the media and judicial independence.

In Washington, Senator Bernie Sanders accused Republicans of serving the wealthiest 1% and warned against a slide toward authoritarianism, declaring that "we the people will rule."

Republicans have dismissed the protests as "Hate America" rallies, while participants in states like Florida said they were defending democracy and the US Constitution.