Sen. John Barrasso targets American Atheists in bizarre smear of "No Kings" protests

The Majority Whip falsely accused the atheist group of leading “I Hate America” rallies

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During a speech on the Senate floor Thursday, Majority Whip John Barrasso (R-WY) lashed out against the “No Kings” rallies taking place today. Like so many other Republicans unable to live in reality, he falsely described the planned peaceful protests as an “I Hate America” rally, but in the middle of his speech, he called out one group in particular as leading the charge: American Atheists.

We just heard from the Minority Leader [Chuck Schumer] on the Floor, inviting people to attend these rallies, to participate in the—what I and other have referred to as the “I Hate America” rally. He is a cheerleader for these far-left activist groups and their causes.

All these rallies are going to be led by the far-left activists, and all will be calling on the Democrats to keep the government closed. And the Democrats in this body are beholden to every single one of these far-left activist groups. Groups like “#ResistTrump” and “American Atheists.”

This is news to me. I had no idea American Atheists had that kind of power over elected Democrats.

Of course, that’s because it’s not true. (Breaking news: Republicans lie!)

American Atheists isn’t a far-left group, they’re not leading the rallies, and I assure you Democrats are not beholden to them. (If only atheists had that kind of political power.)

Here’s what probably happened: The website for the rally lists dozens and dozens of non-profit groups who are considered “Partners.” These are groups who simply support the mission of the march, which is to say “this country does not belong to kings, dictators, or tyrants. It belongs to We the People—the people who care, who show up, and the ones who fight for dignity, a life we can afford, and real opportunity.”

Partners include the ACLU, the American Humanist Association, Americans United for Separation of Church and State, and the Freedom From Religion Foundation, as well as much, much larger groups like Planned Parenthood and the Sierra Club. They have no role in organizing, much less leading, the marches. They just support the mission. That’s all.

So when Barrasso was fearmongering and trying to scare Americans into thinking this was some kind of anti-American march, his staff probably went through and found the scariest names they could think of… and all they could find was a group that openly resists Trump, as if that’s a bad thing, and the only group with “Atheists” in the name.

The Satanic Temple truly missed a golden opportunity here.

Sen. John Barrasso lying (screenshot via YouTube)

I asked American Atheists president Nick Fish what he thought about getting called out and he just laughed. He told me, “The simple presence of atheists, to some of these people, is viewed an un-American. There’s nothing more American than protesting our leaders and demanding better.”

In a more formal statement sent to me last night, Americans Atheists said:

Senator Barrasso’s attacks on the No Kings Rally are shameful and un-American.

Portraying American Atheists as “radical” or “extreme” in an attempt to discredit one of the largest popular mobilizations of opposition to authoritarian abuses in history is transparent, unvarnished White Christian Nationalism.

Barrasso and his ilk are desperate to divide us and portray us as the “other.” But the people who are turning out and demanding better represent the best of what it means to be an American. People of conscience from all different faiths, including the nonreligious. LGBTQ groups, environmental advocates, and veterans. That’s who’s showing up this weekend.

There is nothing “extreme” about opposing the authoritarian overreach of the Trump Administration. And the only thing that’s dangerous or un-American is sitting silently by while masked government thugs kidnap our neighbors off the street, criminalize basic healthcare for LGBTQ people, and attack those of us who would dare speak out.

American Atheists is proud to stand in solidarity with the 250+ No Kings partners, with organizers of the 2,500 rallies happening in all 50 states and the District of Columbia, and with the millions of Americans who are demanding better from our government.

Dissent is not just patriotic — it is our duty.

The first of these “No Kings” rallies occurred a few months ago and there was nothing scary about it. It was joyous and peaceful and funny, with attendees full of warranted anger against an out-of-control administration. I attended a local one and had a great time.

The fact that Republican leaders are now claiming these rallies are made up of unpatriotic traitors is absurd considering the people attending include scientists, wine moms, grandmas, college students, and your goddamn neighbors. The fact that White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt just said the Democratic Party’s main constituency is made up of “Hamas terrorists, illegal aliens, and violent criminals”—a bullshit claim that’s far more radical than the benign (and ultimately accurate) statement from Hillary Clinton that many Trump voters are deplorable—reveals their inability to comprehend how many Americans are fed up with what Republicans are doing to feed Trump’s ego.

The rallies today are non-violent protests against the administration’s ongoing cruelty and the Republican Party’s complicity. To pretend otherwise is to lie. Which is all Republicans, many of whom wear cross necklaces and cite Bible verses in their speeches, know how to do.

This problem here isn’t just that one senator’s lied. It’s that his party thrives on demonizing truth itself. When peaceful citizens gather to demand accountability and defend democracy, conservatives smear them as “anti-American” because that’s the only narrative they have left. To them, “atheist” isn’t just a descriptor. It’s a slur meant to dehumanize anyone who dares to reject their preferred brand of Christian Nationalism. They think dissent is treason and reason is heresy.

That’s why today’s rallies matter. They puncture that lie. The people showing up are the face of a country that refuses to kneel before would-be kings or self-anointed messiahs. Supporting them means standing with democracy—not against faith, but against faith-based authoritarianism.

That’s what terrifies Republicans most.

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