Latest Column: ‘No Kings–Just Hypocrites’ (November 2025)

By State Sen. Rob Sampson

I keep hearing from those on the left warning about the ‘dangers of Donald Trump.’ They say, ‘We don’t want a king,’ and warn of ‘silencing opponents,’ ‘military in the streets,’ and a president who doesn’t know the limits of his authority.

You know what? I agree. I don’t want a king either. I don’t want government crushing dissent or tanks rolling down Main Street. Those fears cut to the core of American identity — liberty, skepticism of centralized power, and government that exists to serve the people, not dominate them.

So, to my progressive friends I say: Welcome home. You’ve rediscovered the very principles conservatives have defended all along — limited government, free speech, and checks and balances. The problem isn’t the concern. It’s where you’re pointing it.

Let’s list what real government overreach looks like — not slogans, but deeds:

“If you like your doctor, you can keep your doctor.” The false promise that sold Obamacare — Washington’s takeover of one-sixth of the economy and the destruction of private plans millions depended on.

Censorship disguised as “misinformation control.” Federal agencies from the White House to the CDC leaning on social-media platforms to silence dissent on COVID, elections, and Hunter Biden’s laptop.

The “Disinformation Board.” A literal government office created to determine which opinions were safe enough for Americans to read.

Parents labeled “domestic threats.” The FBI opening investigations into moms and dads who spoke out at school board meetings — while ignoring the bureaucrats who failed their children.

Pro-life demonstrators met with pre-dawn raids. Armed agents sent to intimidate peaceful activists whose only “crime” was praying outside abortion clinics.

Small businesses shut down by decree. Governors deciding who was “essential” and who wasn’t — keeping big-box stores and liquor shops open while family businesses were padlocked.

Church doors chained while casinos stayed lit. Citizens told worship was “non-essential” — government deciding when faith could be practiced.

Workers fired for refusing an emergency-use vaccine. Coercion masked as public health — your body, but their rules.

Families stripped of religious exemptions and parental rights. Parents told the state — not them — knows best what goes into their children’s bodies.

Gun owners disarmed by accusation. Connecticut’s “red-flag” orders allowing confiscation of firearms without trial or defense.

Elections rewritten by executive order. Pandemic “emergency” voting rules extended indefinitely without legislative approval.

Federal bureaucrats deciding what jobs are “green” enough. From energy to banking, Washington rewarding the politically connected and punishing dissenters.

Government collusion with corporate power. Tech giants, media outlets, and federal agencies coordinating what the public is allowed to see, say, or question.

Emergency powers that never expired. Governors ruling by decree for years — even after the emergency had long passed.

If you had no context, you might assume this was the world Democrats fear Trump would create.

But these aren’t hypotheticals — they already happened. They’re the record of the last decade, carried out not by a rogue monarch, and not by Donald Trump, but by Democratic presidents and governors who preach democracy while consolidating power.

That’s the real authoritarianism — quiet, polite, and procedural — but far more dangerous because it comes wrapped in good intentions and stamped on government letterhead.

And now, the same crowd that talks about tyranny and civility is showing up at “No Kings” rallies — supposedly to “defend democracy.”

Here in Connecticut, Democratic Senator Saud Anwar proudly posed with a sign reading “Cholesterol, do your job.” A sitting state senator — a physician, no less — publicly wishing death, or at least a heart attack, on our president.

That’s not just indecent. It’s dangerous. And in the post-Charlie Kirk murder era, it’s disgraceful. At a time when political violence is escalating, a man in his position should be calming tempers, not mocking death.

Democrat politicians don’t get to preach about “unity” and “civility” one minute and cheer a death wish the next. That’s not moral courage. It’s shameful.

Here is where I stand – and always have.

I don’t want Trump — or any president — to be king. I don’t want any administration deciding which opinions are “safe” or which families get to keep their businesses. I don’t want Governor Lamont telling parents he knows better than they do. I don’t care what letter is after their name. If they use government power to silence, coerce, or punish citizens for thinking differently, they are wrong, and I will be the first to resist.

My standard doesn’t change depending on who’s in office — because liberty doesn’t come with party lines.

So, when Democrats shout about no kings, I say: Welcome home. You’ve joined me — at least in principle — in opposing big government and defending free speech. Now, let’s try living by it.

If you don’t want Trump silencing opponents, don’t defend Biden doing it through tech companies. If you don’t want soldiers on Main Street, don’t cheer the FBI raiding the homes of political opponents. If you don’t want a president declaring himself king, don’t let a governor decide whether you’re essential — or which businesses are worthy of survival.

Because the real threat to liberty isn’t who holds power — it’s when we stop holding every politician, including those on our own side, to the same high standard.