King Don vs King John: A Modern Comparison in Foreign Policy and Immigration

If you’ve driven past the Space Needle lately, you’ve probably noticed the sea of handmade signs bobbing along Fifth Avenue—“No Kings,” “Grandpa’s Off His Meds Again,” and “Fight Truth Decay” scrawled in Sharpie on cardboard. What started as a national protest movement against Donald Trump’s second term has taken root in Seattle’s own backyards, from Capitol Hill’s rainbow crosswalks to the damp sidewalks of Ballard. But here’s the thing: the signs aren’t just about Trump anymore. They’re about us. About whether Seattle—a city that prides itself on progressive values, tech-driven innovation and a stubborn streak of independence—can hold onto its identity when the federal government starts operating like a monarchy with a Twitter account.

Peter Costantini’s latest commentary for Inter Press Service, “No Kings? Meet King Don and King John Part 3 of 3,” doesn’t just compare Trump’s administration to historical tyrants. It frames the current White House as a “Bling Dynasty,” where due process is optional, foreign policy is dictated by whim, and the rule of law is treated like a suggestion rather than a foundation. For Seattleites, this isn’t just political theater—it’s a direct challenge to the way we live. Our city’s economy thrives on global talent, our port is a gateway for trade with Asia, and our immigrant communities are the backbone of neighborhoods like the International District and White Center. When the federal government starts treating immigrants like chess pieces in a game of political theater, it doesn’t just affect them. It affects us—our schools, our hospitals, our minor businesses, and our standing in the world.

The Local Ripple Effect: When Federal Overreach Hits Home

Seattle has always been a city of contradictions. We’re home to Amazon and Microsoft, yet we also have one of the highest minimum wages in the country. We’re a sanctuary city, but we’re also a major port where Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has a significant presence. That tension has only grown sharper under Trump’s second term. Costantini’s commentary highlights one particularly chilling example: the summary deportation of 261 Venezuelan and Salvadoran immigrants to El Salvador’s CECOT mega-prison, a facility so notorious that human rights groups have compared it to Guantánamo. What’s striking isn’t just the brutality of the act—it’s the brazenness. The Trump administration invoked the 1798 Alien Enemies Act (AEA) to bypass due process entirely, arguing that it gave them the power to deport people without so much as a hearing. For a city like Seattle, where nearly one in five residents is an immigrant, this isn’t just a policy shift. It’s a direct threat to our social fabric.

Take the case of Maria (a composite example based on real stories from local advocacy groups like El Centro de la Raza), a Venezuelan asylum seeker who’s lived in Seattle for three years. She works at a café in Pike Place Market, sends her kids to public school in Beacon Hill, and volunteers at a local food bank. Under the AEA, she could be picked up by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) tomorrow, put on a plane to El Salvador, and locked in CECOT without ever seeing a judge. No chance to say goodbye to her kids. No chance to pack a bag. No chance to argue her case. For Seattle’s immigrant communities, this isn’t a hypothetical—it’s a daily fear. And it’s not just immigrants who are affected. When families are torn apart, it’s local schools that observe enrollment drops, local businesses that lose workers, and local hospitals that see patients avoid care out of fear.

But the impact goes beyond immigration. Costantini’s commentary draws a parallel between Trump’s foreign policy and the arbitrary rule of King John, the medieval English monarch infamous for his capriciousness. Trump’s approach to international relations, Costantini argues, mirrors the Red Queen from Alice in Wonderland: “Sentence first—verdict afterwards.” For a city like Seattle, which relies on stable trade relationships with countries like China, Japan, and South Korea, this kind of unpredictability is more than just frustrating—it’s economically dangerous. The Port of Seattle, which supports over 58,000 jobs, depends on predictable trade policies. When the federal government imposes tariffs on a whim or threatens to withdraw from trade agreements without warning, it’s local businesses—like the small manufacturers in SoDo or the seafood exporters in Fishermen’s Terminal—that bear the brunt.

Seattle’s Resistance: From Protests to Policy

Seattle has never been a city to sit quietly on the sidelines. The “No Kings” movement, which Costantini describes as a “far-flung grassroots opposition coalition,” has found fertile ground here. The last national day of action reportedly drew eight million people across the country, with Seattle contributing tens of thousands of its own. But protests are just the beginning. The real work is happening in city hall, in community centers, and in the offices of local organizations that are trying to build resilience against federal overreach.

One of the most visible efforts is the push to strengthen Seattle’s sanctuary city policies. While the city has long limited cooperation with federal immigration authorities, advocates are now pushing for even stronger protections. The Office of Immigrant and Refugee Affairs (OIRA) has expanded its legal defense fund for immigrants facing deportation, and local nonprofits like Northwest Immigrant Rights Project (NWIRP) are ramping up their pro bono legal services. But with the federal government actively undermining due process, these efforts are like building a sandcastle in a rising tide. “We’re doing everything we can,” said a staff attorney at NWIRP (who asked not to be named due to safety concerns), “but when the rules change overnight, it’s hard to retain up.”

Then there’s the economic front. Seattle’s tech industry, which has long prided itself on its global outlook, is starting to feel the pinch of Trump’s erratic trade policies. Companies like Microsoft and Amazon, which rely on international talent and supply chains, have been quietly lobbying behind the scenes for more stability. But for smaller businesses, the impact is more immediate. Take, for example, a family-owned seafood distributor in Ballard that exports Dungeness crab to Japan. When Trump imposed sudden tariffs on Japanese imports last year, the distributor’s orders plummeted by 30%. “We had to lay off three people,” the owner said. “It’s not just about the money—it’s about the uncertainty. How do you plan for the future when the rules keep changing?”

Even Seattle’s military community is feeling the strain. Costantini’s commentary mentions that Vietnam-era veterans have been visible in local protests, a reminder that the city’s history of anti-war activism runs deep. But the tension isn’t just ideological. Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM), one of the largest military installations in the country, has seen morale dip as service members grapple with the ethical implications of serving under a commander-in-chief who openly flouts the rule of law. “It’s one thing to serve your country,” said a retired Army colonel who now works as a defense contractor in Tacoma. “It’s another to serve a president who acts like he’s above the law.”

What’s Next? How Seattleites Can Push Back

So where does that leave us? If you’re a Seattleite watching these developments with a mix of anger and helplessness, you’re not alone. But there are ways to turn that frustration into action—whether you’re an immigrant fearing deportation, a business owner worried about trade policies, or just a concerned citizen who doesn’t want to live in a country where the president acts like a king.

The Local Resource Guide: Who You Need on Your Side

Given my background in geo-journalism and human rights advocacy, I’ve seen firsthand how communities can build resilience against federal overreach. If this trend impacts you in Seattle, here are the three types of local professionals you need to know:

Immigration Defense Attorneys (Specializing in Federal Litigation)

Not all immigration lawyers are created equal. In this climate, you need someone who’s not just familiar with asylum claims but who’s also willing to take on the federal government in court. Look for attorneys with experience in:

• Habeas corpus petitions: The Trump administration’s use of the Alien Enemies Act to bypass due process means you need a lawyer who knows how to file emergency habeas petitions to challenge unlawful detentions.
• Federal court experience: Many immigration cases are heard in administrative courts, but when the government is breaking its own rules, you need a lawyer who’s comfortable arguing in federal district court or even the Ninth Circuit.
• Community ties: The best attorneys in this space work closely with local advocacy groups like NWIRP or the ACLU of Washington. They know the judges, the ICE field offices, and the local nonprofits that can provide additional support.

Pro tip: Question potential attorneys about their success rate in cases involving the Alien Enemies Act. If they can’t point to specific wins, keep looking.

Trade Policy Consultants (For Small and Mid-Sized Businesses)

If you’re a business owner in Seattle, you can’t afford to ignore federal trade policy. But you also can’t afford to hire a full-time lobbyist. That’s where trade policy consultants approach in. These professionals help businesses:

• Navigate tariffs and trade barriers: A fine consultant can help you understand how novel tariffs might affect your supply chain and identify alternative markets or suppliers.
• Lobby for exemptions: The U.S. Trade Representative’s office occasionally grants tariff exemptions for specific products. A consultant can help you make the case for why your business deserves one.
• Diversify your markets: Seattle’s economy is deeply tied to Asia, but consultants can help you explore opportunities in Europe, Latin America, or even Africa to reduce your reliance on any single market.

Pro tip: Look for consultants with experience in your specific industry. A consultant who specializes in seafood exports, for example, will have a much better understanding of the Port of Seattle’s logistics than a generalist.

Civil Liberties and Constitutional Law Experts

With the Trump administration increasingly targeting free speech, assembly, and due process, Seattleites need to know their rights—and how to defend them. Civil liberties attorneys and constitutional law experts can help with:

• First Amendment challenges: If you’ve been targeted for speaking out against the administration—whether you’re a journalist, a protester, or just someone who posted a critical tweet—these attorneys can help you understand your legal options.
• Fourth Amendment protections: With reports of increased surveillance and warrantless searches, it’s more important than ever to know your rights when interacting with law enforcement.
• Impact litigation: Some of the most effective challenges to federal overreach come from lawsuits filed by groups like the ACLU or the Public Citizen Litigation Group. These attorneys specialize in taking on the government in court and can help you determine if your case has broader legal significance.

Pro tip: Many civil liberties organizations offer free or low-cost legal clinics. The University of Washington School of Law, for example, runs a Civil Rights Clinic that provides pro bono assistance to community members.

Seattle has always been a city that punches above its weight. We’re not just a dot on the map—we’re a global hub for technology, trade, and progressive values. But those values are under threat in ways we haven’t seen in decades. The good news? We’re not powerless. Whether it’s through legal challenges, economic resilience, or good old-fashioned protest, there are ways to fight back. The question is: What’s your next move?

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