200 Capitol Police Officers Secure ‘No Kings’ Rally For No Pay
About 200 Capitol Police officers spent Saturday protecting the “No Kings” rally in Washington, D.C., even though they were not receiving paychecks. The detail worked the event amid an unfolding federal shutdown that has left many government employees in limbo. Officers stood posted while negotiations in Congress remained stalled.
The shutdown reached its 18th day as Republicans and Democrats failed to find common ground on spending. If the impasse continues, more federal workers will miss scheduled paychecks and essential services will be strained. The uncertainty is already affecting routine operations across agencies.
Observers noted police posted on rooftops and positioned with long rifles to secure vantage points around the rally. The visible security presence underscored the high stakes of an event that mixed protest with political theater. Agencies maintained a heavy posture without current pay for many uniformed personnel.
The Senate needs 60 votes to reopen the government, yet only 53 senators are Republicans, leaving the math stacked and negotiations complicated. That procedural reality gives Senate leaders significant leverage over any path forward. It also makes bipartisan agreement the only reliable route to a quick reopening.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, who promoted the “No Kings” event, has been a central figure in Washington for decades and holds influence over the chamber’s agenda. Critics point out the irony of criticizing concentrated power while controlling levers that could end the shutdown. The optics of leadership attending protests while thousands of federal workers go unpaid have sharpened partisan attacks.
U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-VT, also attended the rally, drawing attention from social posts highlighting his long tenure in national politics. Accounts on X pointed to the presence of well-known leaders at an event billed against concentrated political authority. Their attendance fed the broader narrative about who calls the shots in Washington.
Since 1981, the federal government has shut down four times, according to the Peter G. Peterson Foundation.
- Nov. 14-18,1995
- Dec. 16, 1995 – Jan. 5, 1996
- Oct. 1-16, 2013
- Dec. 22, 2018-Jan. 24, 2019
This current closure is now the third-longest in modern history, and continued delays would worsen hardships for millions who rely on federal food assistance and other safety nets. Low-income families and hourly federal employees face real, immediate harm if the shutdown persists. Local non-profits and state programs are already bracing for increased demand.
That officers stood unpaid to protect a political demonstration highlights a stark mismatch between frontline service and political posturing. Rank-and-file personnel keep order while elected leaders trade blame and stage messaging events. The situation has provoked anger from constituents and commentary across the political spectrum.
Editor’s Note: The Schumer Shutdown is here. Rather than put the American people first, Chuck Schumer and the radical Democrats forced a government shutdown for healthcare for illegals. They own this.
