“Pretend, please, that I’m on the ballot,” President Donald Trump said at an Aug. 21 rally in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.

Lehigh Valley residents cited that remark as they participated in Oct. 17 “No Kings: Vote Early” rallies held at five locations across the region ahead of the Nov. 3 midterm election.

At a demonstration outside U.S. Rep. Ryan Mackenzie’s, R-7th, district office at 1125 S. Cedar Crest Blvd., Salisbury Township, participants expressed opposition to actions by the Trump administration and Republican members of Congress. Several criticized congressional support for the spending and tax legislation commonly referred to by supporters as the “Big Beautiful Bill,” arguing it reduced federal spending on some programs while providing tax benefits to higher-income earners.

Some participants also criticized recent Supreme Court rulings involving presidential authority and expressed concerns about administration policies, including immigration enforcement, tariffs and foreign policy decisions.

“The reason we are protesting is to get the people out there to pay attention to what’s going on,” organizer Tim Gruber said. Gruber said he has been involved with local demonstrations since the “Mondays with Mackenzie” rallies began in February 2025.

Gruber also criticized Democratic Party leaders, saying they should respond more forcefully to what he views as misinformation in political discourse.

Among those attending was Anita Zelechiwsky of Upper Saucon Township, who brought her 5-year-old Yorkshire terrier, Theodore.

“We’re a team, we attend all rallies together,” Zelechiwsky said. “He’s very supportive of our cause.”

Many passing motorists honked or gave thumbs-up gestures as they drove by. Others expressed disagreement with the demonstrators. At one point, a verbal exchange occurred between a person in a passing vehicle and a protester.

Organizers said the rallies were intended to encourage voter participation and draw attention to concerns they have about the concentration of executive power.