JD Longo: The ‘No Kings’ betrayal of Pennsylvania.

Across the country — and right here in Pennsylvania — “No Kings 2.0” protests are scheduled for this Independence Day, nearly 249 years after the fight against British tyranny began. Just twelve months ago, Pennsylvania again stood at the center of the ongoing battle for our God-given rights when President Trump narrowly survived an assassination attempt.

With that in mind, we should ask ourselves: Who truly embodies tyranny in America today?

Just weeks ago, during the first wave of “No Kings” protests, highways were blocked, small businesses looted, and violence against law enforcement broke out. Using violent force to express political dissent is a disturbing and growing trend—one that mirrors the tactics of authoritarian regimes these protesters claim to oppose. Tragically, many of these ill-informed demonstrators are betraying the spirit, patriotism, and history of a state like Pennsylvania.

And then there’s the absurd political theater from these self-described “anti-fascists.”

Protesters claim they are defending America from kings and tyrants. They wrap themselves in the flag and liken their cause to the fight against King George III. But they miss the most American principle of all: we do not resort to violence when we lose lawful elections.

Let me be perfectly clear: President Donald J. Trump won the 2024 election in a landslide. He has earned the right to govern according to his values, the law, and the mandate granted by the American people.

Whether you support him or not, he is the lawful President of the United States.

Our ability to disagree freely — without fear of violence — is one of the greatest gifts bestowed by the Founders of this country. Promoting or calling for violence endangers that gift. It moves us closer to tyranny than anything these protestors claim to be fighting against.

In Los Angeles, demonstrators threw Molotov cocktails and attacked police officers during the “No Kings” riots. In Salt Lake City, a person was critically injured in a shooting.

And in Philadelphia — the very birthplace of our nation — this violence feels especially heinous. A 31-year-old man was arrested on his way to a “No Kings” protest in West Chester. He was armed with two guns, nine magazines, and more. At his home, authorities found 21 additional firearms and 13 improvised explosive devices.

Despite all this, there has been a deafening silence from much of the media and the political left.

Elected officials like Representative Jasmine Crockett have used dangerous language, publicly calling for opponents to be “knocked over the head” on national television.

I saw tyranny with my own eyes nearly one year ago when a would-be assassin fired at a presidential candidate — 100 feet from where I stood — simply because he disagreed with his politics. Since then, many in the media and on the left have shown disturbingly little interest in uncovering the full truth of what happened that day in Butler. The American people — including the family of slain firefighter Corey Comperatore — deserve a political system that condemns all political violence, no matter the victim.

In that vacuum, killers and opportunists see an opening to stage their violence. In that vacuum, a future political rally may serve as another gruesome scene of death and chaos.

The reaction to the attempt on President Trump’s life was disheartening, disappointing, and frankly, shocking. A state representative posted on X: “The last thing America needed was sympathy for the devil, but here we are.” CNN ran a headline: “Secret Service rushes Trump off stage after he falls at rally” — long after the country knew he had been shot at.

We’re witnessing a dangerous trend where political disagreement increasingly leads to violence. And on the very soil where blood was once shed to protect our right to debate and dissent peacefully, too many now turn to threats and brutality.

In the age of President Trump, the broad denouncement of political violence has all but disappeared.

I pray that all protests in Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, or anywhere else in this country remain peaceful, orderly, and respectful of law enforcement. We must resolve our differences through lawful and democratic means.

The future of our republic — born in the streets of Philadelphia — depends on it.

Freedom dies when violence is used to silence those we disagree with. And those claiming to defend us from tyranny are starting to look a lot like tyrants themselves. They do not deserve our support.

JD Longo is the mayor of Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania, and a member of the America First Policy Institute’s Mayors’ Council.