The second Trump administration is reportedly exceeding constitutional limits and undermining the rule of law. Despite this, public response has been relatively subdued. Historically, one might expect a significant mobilization in reaction to such threats, yet while there has been some pushback, exemplified by the No Kings movement which attracted approximately five million participants in October, the overall scale of protests remains lower than anticipated given the circumstances.

A striking aspect of these protests is the demographic composition, particularly the low participation rate among younger individuals. Data from YouGov indicates that only 8 percent of Americans aged 18 to 29 participated in the October protests, compared to 13 percent of those aged 65 and older. Reports from student newspapers at Rice University and Tulane University highlighted the minimal presence of students at large protests, with only about 30 students attending a gathering of over 13,000 in Houston and a few at a protest of more than 10,000 in New Orleans.

This trend marks a significant shift from the George Floyd protests in June 2020, where 13 percent of young adults reported attending events, and they constituted a substantial portion of the protestors. Historically, young people have been at the forefront of various social movements, including those advocating for civil rights and opposing the Vietnam War, as well as more recent protests against military actions in Gaza.

The lack of youth engagement in the current protests raises concerns beyond mere attendance figures. The demographic of the No Kings protests largely mirrors that of earlier protests during Trump's first term, yet the visibility of older participants may diminish the perceived urgency of the movement. This contrasts with the impactful smaller Tea Party protests during Barack Obama’s presidency, which significantly influenced political dynamics leading up to the 2010 midterm elections.

Potential explanations for the absence of young protestors do not appear to align with their attitudes toward Trump. Although support for Trump among younger voters increased in the 2024 election compared to previous years, their approval ratings have since declined sharply. Currently, approximately 70 percent of individuals under 30 disapprove of Trump's performance, representing the highest disapproval rate among age cohorts.