*Words and photos by Sean Rayford / All photos made June 14, 2025 in Columbia, SC.*

Following a week of tumult in Los Angeles, and wars of words from politicians, law enforcement, and protesters — millions rallied against President Donald Trump during nationwide demonstrations on Saturday.

In the capital of South Carolina, more than a thousand gathered at the statehouse in Columbia.

“Instead of sitting home, I felt like I’d come out here with some like-minded people and let our voices be heard — and feel like I'm doing something. It's not the country I remember,” said Ray, who declined to give a last name, “Anything to try to get back to that feeling of what I had years ago.”

With rumors swirling around a move to South Carolina — and a run at Senator’s Lindsey Graham’s seat in DC, former Illinois Republican Congressman Joe Walsh was one of dozens to speak to the crowd.

“We've never been here before, the very thing our founders feared is in the White House. Now, look, look, you either believe that or you don't. You either know that in your bones or you don't. He lies every time he opens his mouth. He defies the Constitution every single day, he's disappearing people off of our streets. He's putting the military on our streets. He's attacking universities. He's attacking law firms. He's attacking the media. He believes he's a king,” said Walsh.

“He believes he's above the law. Understand, we've never been here before. You've had Republican presidents, Democratic presidents that — in your life you sort of didn't like, you disagreed with on certain issues. We ain't never been here before, where we have somebody in the White House who is, I'll say it — the enemy of America.”

The stinging attacks on Trump - from a former MAGA supporter, drew great applause.

No Kings Protest: Columbia, SC