Radical group seeking government overthrow marches in DC under No Kings movement.
While No Kings claimed no events were held in DC, they refused to deny a partnership with RevCom, or to disavow the extremist group's goals.
President Trump received the biggest crowd in history for his birthday—protesting against him. Among the many nationwide events for what has been dubbed by some as “No Kings Day” was a march in Washington DC, organized by extremist radicals RevCom.
Hundreds of people first gathered for a rally at Logan Circle on Saturday afternoon, brandishing orange color themed t-shirts, signs, and related paraphernalia. After a succession of speakers the group marched to Lafayette Square. Unfortunately they didn’t bother to (pay for) arrange staff who would do the actual labor needed for the event, so organizers demanded volunteers step forward and stay behind, to break down the stage and the group’s equipment. After reaching the park outside of the White House, they held a subsequent rally. While the tone was clearly opposed to President Trump’s policies, one thing was notably absent: Talk about voting. Instead, the message was that President Trump must be removed immediately.
Not surprising, because RevCom explicitly rejects democracy and elections. Instead, they demand the United States government be forcibly overthrown to install a Stalinism style communist state.
Saturday’s protest was ostensibly organized by Refuse Fascism, which is a well known front for RevCom. However, no attempt was made to hide the group’s true identity, organizers going so far as to highlight it with a large banner. Consistent with RevCom’s usual tactics, the event was awash in colored branding; Refuse Fascism employs the color orange in its efforts to associate opposition to President Trump with themselves. Primary coordinator for the day’s events was Sam Goldman. Goldman hosts the Refuse Fascism podcast, and previously coordinated efforts by RevCom to hijack the Washington DC Women’s March in 2022, under the moniker of Rise Up 4 Abortion Rights.
When legitimate activism groups are targeted by RevCom for hijacking, they are typically eager to disavow, shun, and condemn the opportunist radicals and their ideals. But No Kings (which has coordinated with a wide network of affiliate organizations) was not willing to repudiate the extremist organization, nor their objectives to overthrow the government. I contacted No Kings, pointing out that news reports claimed a link existed between them and RevCom’s activities, and that the same affiliation was being stated on social media as well. The representative would only say that No Kings didn’t have an event in DC on Saturday. But when asked to explain whether they endorse RevCom, their claims, or their objectives, the representative refused to answer.
Unfortunately, the hesitation to disavow RevCom’s nature was not limited to No Kings. One of the rally’s speakers was Democratic politician Jim Keady of New Jersey. In May, Keady spoke at a RevCom rally in New York. I contacted Keady to ask if he endorses RevCom’s activities and objectives, but he refused to comment. During his roughly 12 minute speech, Keady never once encouraged anyone to vote against Trump’s policies, or to put pressure on elected representatives in Congress. Instead Keady advised the audience “Now let me be very clear. Donald Trump is not going to go quietly into the night....This is why now, here, is the time that we rise up, and act to stop the ongoing consolidation of Trump-MAGA power.” He then concluded by saying “I ask that you join with me, that in the name of Humanity...we demand that the Trump regime must go now! Let's get it down my fellow Americans.”
Given RevCom’s long history of deceptive behaviors to recruit members, activity participants, and donations, it should be no surprise that many of the day’s participants have little to no knowledge of the group’s true nature. Several attendees voiced their hope that Democrats would regain control of Congress in the 2026 midterms. This would be in stark contrast go RevCom ideology.
But there are signs that RevCom may be successfully cultivating new local groups, and that lines may be starting to blur for some. And military veterans may be among them. One of the day’s attendees, Matt a.k.a. the Angry Vet had been a participant in the previous evening’s veteran protest at the Supreme Court and Capitol, where several protesters (including Matt himself) were arrested after posing for group photographs on the Capitol steps.
I spoke with Matt at length about the previous day’s events, his objectives, and views on activism more broadly. Matt blasted veterans who participated in the January 6th attack as “brainwashed,” and noted that the previous evening’s incident had been peaceful. He was unequivocal in stating that, despite his disdain for President Trump, he would never advocate for overthrowing the government. In fact, Matt insists that if he knew anyone personally who was involved in a group favoring a government overthrow, he would work tirelessly to do everything in his power to convince that person to change their views.
Matt’s history of military service weighs strongly toward his sincerity, and indicate that he is unaware of RevCom’s actual political goals. But the prior evening’s event also shows indications of RevCom influence. The organizer attempted to hide her role when approached for comment, declaring (with a peculiar degree of panic and emphasis) that she was not going to speak to any media. RevCom, despite going to great lengths to attract media attention, are very strict about allowing their lower level members to actually speak with media outlets. Most notable, however, had been the enigmatic vet organizer directing the evening’s attendees to the “Palestine safe house.” RevCom, through Refuse Fascism, has been the primary driving force in the shadows of the “Free Palestine” protests. Even as Refuse Fascism has been a widely visible public identity, they were secretive about their instigation of the Free Palestine actions, apparently trying to spin off a new popular identity. As Matt attested, plans for the Friday evening rally had been kept quiet and mostly known within a mostly closed circle. But it was clearly thought out enough that common t-shirts were printed, with the closed circle of attendees wearing them underneath military fatigues. Several of those same individuals were now appearing at RevCom’s Saturday rally.
As Saturday’s event drew toward a conclusion, a promised return march generally fizzled, as many attendees began dissipating in multiple directions. Eventually the RevCom volunteers gave up trying to organize the return march, settling for a scattered casual walk back, along various routes. As organizers made their departure they barked orders over their microphones to the attendees not to speak to any media.