Public sector unions representing millions of government employees are taking leading roles in organizing nationwide "No Kings" protests scheduled for this Saturday, coinciding with President Donald Trump's military parade celebrating the Army's 250th birthday.

According to the Washington Examiner, these unions—which collect dues from taxpayer-funded salaries—are helping coordinate nearly 1,800 demonstrations across the country.

Several major public unions, including the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), American Federation of Teachers (AFT), American Federation of Government Employees, and American Postal Workers Union, are officially listed as partners for the protest events. The National Treasury Employees Union was briefly listed on the protest website but has since been removed, with a spokesperson confirming this was done in error.

Union training and mobilization efforts

The American Federation of Teachers, led by prominent labor activist Randi Weingarten, has scheduled multiple events to prepare protesters for Saturday's demonstrations. The union is hosting a webinar to teach de-escalation strategies for handling interactions with law enforcement and counter-protesters.

AFT is also organizing text message campaigns to drive attendance at the protests. Weingarten publicly endorsed the events on social media, writing: "On Saturday, folks across the country will join in peaceful, nonviolent action to affirm that in America, power belongs to the people."

Some of these unions have previous experience with anti-Trump protests. The SEIU has been involved in coordinating demonstrations against Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids in Los Angeles, where David Huerta, president of SEIU California, was arrested during protests that turned violent.

Radical partnerships raise concerns

Public sector unions are aligning themselves with organizations that hold more radical positions in helping organize the No Kings protests. Partners include Jewish Voice for Peace, which has been heavily involved in pro-Palestinian demonstrations following the October 7, 2023 terrorist attacks in Israel.

Another partner, the Organization for Black Struggle, describes itself as a "radical" group that supports slavery reparations and was founded to "fight to advance beyond capitalism." These associations have prompted criticism from conservative policy experts about the political activities of taxpayer-supported organizations.

Michael Watson, research director at the Capital Research Center, suggested that Republicans sympathetic to unions should reconsider their positions. He argued that these demonstrations reveal unions' true political allegiances, stating they are "a pillar institution of the professional Left."

Taxpayer funding questions

The involvement of public sector unions in explicitly political protests raises questions about how taxpayer dollars ultimately support these activities. These unions collect dues from government employees whose salaries are funded by taxpayers.

Kyle Shideler of the Center for Security Policy told Tablet magazine that unions often serve as institutional homes for street activists and protest organizers. "It's a place where they still understand the value of a certain amount of street politics — the ability to hold a pop-up rally, a protest, maybe a riot," Shideler explained.

The Washington Examiner previously reported on how some activist groups involved in Los Angeles protests have received government grants, highlighting another avenue through which taxpayer dollars may indirectly support protest activities. This raises concerns about the appropriate use of public funds.

Messaging control efforts

The SEIU appears to be taking steps to control the narrative around Saturday's protests. The union's secretary-treasurer is scheduled to speak at a pre-mobilization call where protesters will receive "key messaging guidance" and best practices for participating in the June 14 demonstrations.

Multiple requests for comment from SEIU, AFT, AFGE, and APWU went unanswered, according to the Washington Examiner's reporting. These unions collectively represent millions of government workers whose dues fund union operations and activities.

As Saturday approaches, the involvement of taxpayer-funded public sector unions in organizing nationwide protests against the Trump administration continues to draw scrutiny. Critics question whether government employee unions should be coordinating political demonstrations while receiving financial support derived from taxpayer dollars.