OPINION: The Hypocrisy of the "No Kings" Protests—When Local Democrats Rule Like Monarchs

By Logan Foster | Redress South Bend

Oct 20, 2025

On Saturday, Democrats across the country participated in the “No Kings” protests. This national demonstration was aimed at opposing the Trump administration. Protesters framed their actions as a defense of democracy. However, while their focus was on Washington D.C., they overlooked a more immediate threat to democratic principles in their own communities. A clear example of this hypocrisy can be seen in South Bend, Indiana.

The Political Landscape of South Bend

In South Bend, a city of approximately 103,000 residents, the St. Joseph County Democratic Party holds an absolute monopoly on power. The Mayor, City Clerk, and all nine members of the Common Council are Democrats. This single-party rule has created an environment resembling an autocracy rather than a vibrant republic. While they decry a "king" on the national stage, they have established a political kingdom in their own community.

When citizens question public policy or public safety, they often find themselves facing resistance. For instance, if you wish to schedule a meeting with elected officials, Mayor James Mueller's office may eject you from the St. Joseph County-City Building. Does this sound like open and transparent government? Or does it echo the very thesis of the "No Kings" protest?

The Control of the St. Joseph Democratic Party

The St. Joseph Democratic Party machine controls which policies advance, which scandals are addressed, and which issues are conveniently ignored.

Notable Instances of Hypocrisy

1. Downplaying Violence: The SJCDP has downplayed South Bend Common Council Member Karen White's call for violence against President Donald Trump. (See Video)

   
   
   
   

2. Election Fraud Allegations: They have turned a blind eye to credible evidence suggesting potential election fraud by a South Bend Common Council Member, who may not have been legally eligible to hold office.

   
   

3. Assault on a Journalist: Another Council member assaulted a journalist for asking questions about city contracts that appeared to benefit them.

   
   
   
   

4. Sexual Harassment Allegations: They have dismissed documented allegations where a Democratic State Senator sexually harassed a female employee and paid her $8,000 for her silence.

   
   
   
   

These issues are not mere political disputes; they represent foundational challenges to accountability and transparency. Yet, the local St. Joseph County Democratic Party leadership has met these stories with deafening silence.

Legislative Efforts and Free Speech

The hypocrisy becomes even more pronounced with recent legislative efforts. One South Bend Council Member, Karen White, proposed an ordinance that would severely restrict free speech at Common Council meetings. This proposal drew sharp rebuke from the ACLU of Indiana for its potential to enable viewpoint discrimination. It vaguely sought to prohibit speakers from making comments that had already been made by others.

It is intellectually dishonest to "protest" against a perceived tyrant hundreds of miles away while tolerating the erosion of democratic norms at home. Participating in a "No Kings" protest while supporting the local St. Joseph County Democratic Party, which stifles free speech and evades accountability, is not a courageous act of civic engagement. It is an exercise in "political theater," to quote South Bend Mayor James Mueller.

The Importance of Local Accountability

The most pressing issues for many Americans are not just in the national headlines. They are found in the council chambers and city halls where decisions directly shape their lives. True democratic participation requires holding our own leaders to the standards we demand of others, regardless of party affiliation. This is especially true when it involves our own political party.

Until citizens are willing to confront the fixable problems and blatant hypocrisy in their own communities, national protests will continue to ring hollow.

In conclusion, the phrase "No Kings" should resonate not only on the national stage but also within our local governments. It is time to demand accountability and transparency from those we elect. Only then can we truly uphold the democratic values we claim to cherish.

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