Senator Bernie Sanders is no stranger to political storms—but his latest interview feels like a thunderclap over Washington. Speaking after the massive “No Kings” rallies that swept across the nation, Sanders’ message was clear: America is at a crossroads between democracy and oligarchy, and time is running out.

The “No Kings” movement began as a decentralized protest against the growing cult of personality surrounding Donald Trump. What shocked even longtime activists was its scale—more than 26,000 rallies across small towns and major cities, all calling for the defense of constitutional democracy. Sanders, who addressed one of the largest gatherings in Washington, called it “an extraordinary moment in American history.”

“More people came out to say no to Trumpism than in any single day in the history of America,” he said. “That’s something we should all be proud of.”

But not everyone saw it that way.

Within hours, Republican leaders lashed out. House Speaker Mike Johnson dismissed the rallies as “hate-America protests.” Trump called participants “whacked out radicals.” And Republican spokesperson Carolyn Leavitt accused Democrats of aligning with “terrorists, illegal aliens, and violent criminals.” The rhetoric, Sanders argued, wasn’t just false—it was dangerous.

“What they are doing,” Sanders said, “is fomenting hatred. People came out not to attack America, but to defend the Constitution of the United States and basic freedoms that are under assault.”

He then took direct aim at the former president. “We’re talking about a man who sends the military into cities, who wants to deport millions, who threatens journalists and universities. That’s not what this country is about,” Sanders said, calling Trump a “megalomaniac” and a “pathological liar.”

For Sanders, the protests represented more than anti-Trump sentiment—they were a rebuke of an entire political system dominated by money and fear. “The Republican Party,” he argued, “has become a cult of the individual. Too many are afraid to speak the truth because they know billionaire donors will fund their primary challengers.”

But Sanders didn’t spare Democrats from criticism either.

“The Democratic Party has to make a very fundamental decision,” he said. “Are we the party of the working class—or the party of corporate interests?”

Sanders noted that while Trump’s rhetoric resonated with many working-class Americans, it was largely because Democrats had failed to connect. “Trump didn’t win those votes because people love billionaires,” he said. “He won because people are sick and tired of being ignored. Sixty percent of Americans live paycheck to paycheck in the richest country on Earth. People can’t afford healthcare, housing, or even food—and they feel abandoned.”

To Sanders, the path forward is clear: reclaim the moral center of politics. “Healthcare is a human right, not a privilege,” he declared. “No one should go bankrupt because they got sick. No one should die because they can’t afford insulin.”

The discussion turned to the ongoing government shutdown—now entering its twentieth day. Republican leaders, led by Majority Leader John Thune, proposed reopening the government in exchange for a symbolic vote on extending Obamacare subsidies. Sanders’ response was firm: “Absolutely not.”

“This isn’t about a vote that goes nowhere,” he said. “Trump’s so-called ‘big beautiful bill’ would strip healthcare from 15 million Americans and cause 50,000 unnecessary deaths every single year. Meanwhile, premiums will double, even triple, just to fund a one-trillion-dollar tax break for the top 1 percent—for Mr. Musk and Mr. Bezos. I will not, in good conscience, vote for death.”

Sanders’ numbers are staggering, but they highlight his central argument: American politics has lost its moral compass. “You can’t justify human suffering as a price for corporate gain,” he said.

The Senator’s frustration wasn’t limited to Republicans. He acknowledged that both parties are trapped in cycles of inaction. “People in Congress are still getting paid while millions can’t afford healthcare. That’s unacceptable. Maybe they should skip a few paychecks and see what it feels like.”

Despite his anger, Sanders remains an optimist. He believes that public pressure—the same kind that fueled the “No Kings” movement—will eventually force Republicans to negotiate. “They’re not stupid,” he said. “They’re hiding out now, but when their voters start seeing premium hikes in their mailboxes, they’ll come to the table.”

When asked what it will take to break the gridlock, Sanders didn’t hesitate. “Courage,” he said. “It’s time for courage. The courage to stand up to billionaires. The courage to tell the truth. And the courage to believe that ordinary people can still change this country.”

As the interview wrapped, Sanders’ tone softened, but his conviction remained unshaken. “This isn’t about Trump,” he said. “It’s about who we are as a nation. Whether we believe in kings—or in each other.”