Bulwark Takes No Kings: What We—and You—Saw at the Rallies (w/ Jim Swift)
Mar 29, 2026
Jim Swift, senior editor and Cincinnati bureau chief known for on-the-ground reporting, recounts No Kings rallies in multiple cities. He describes turnout, organization, homemade signs, and diverse participants unified around civic commitment. Conversations cover sober, community-focused logistics, local playbooks avoiding big speeches, and concerns about election access and immigration.
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Firsthand Report From Cincinnati No Kings
- Jim Swift attended his first No Kings in Cincinnati and estimated at least 10,000 attendees marching around downtown during a Reds game.
- He highlighted handmade signs like "I'm here for those who can't be here" and conversations with locals who felt energized but worried about turnout and impact.
Sobriety Replaces Rage At No Kings
- Bill Kristol emphasized the sobriety and moderation of the crowds, noting they felt calm, patriotic, and serious rather than frenzied or deranged.
- He contrasted these rallies with the chaotic New Left demonstrations of his youth, underlining a disciplined, long-term civic commitment.
Local Playbook Powered Big Nationwide Turnout
- Jim Swift praised organizers for a tight local playbook: volunteer marshals, radio coordination, police permits, and decentralized events across suburbs.
- The decentralized approach enabled many communities to host accessible, non-coalition rallies that felt like local civic gatherings.