Tens of thousands of people across the U.S. have taken to the streets in a series of ‘Hands Off’ protests decrying President Donald Trump’s border enforcement and deportation policies, as well as mass terminations under Elon Musk-led Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
Organizers highlighted that President Trump and DOGE’s billionaire advisor Elon Musk have created an unnecessary crisis under the belief that the U.S. belongs to them exclusively. An official statement said the duo are taking everything they can get their hands on – healthcare, data, jobs, services.
The pro-democracy movement called the Trump administration’s actions a hostile takeover and attack on American rights and freedoms. Protests were held at state capitols, federal buildings, congressional offices, Social Security headquarters, parks, and city halls across the United States.
The protesters are demanding an end to the billionaire power grab. Protest flyers stated “Whether you are mobilized by the attacks on our democracy, the slashing of jobs, the invasion of privacy, or the assault on our services – this moment is for you. We are setting out to build a massive, visible, national rejection of this crisis.”
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Protesters Demand ‘Hands Off’ U.S.
American Federation of Government Employees President Everett B. Kelley said the protesters will not be silenced. “We’ll stand up and say ‘Hands Off’ our contract, ‘Hands Off’ our union, ‘Hands Off’ our democracy, and ‘Hands Off’ our freedoms.”
The organizers have put three demands to the government – an end to the billionaire takeover and rampant corruption of the Trump administration; an end to slashing federal funds for Medicaid, Social Security, and other programs working people rely on; and an end to the attacks on immigrants, trans people, and other communities.
Democratic Rep. Ilhan Omar, at the Washington protest, said they have to fight for the country. “If you believe in a country where we take care of our neighbors, look after the poor, and make sure our children have a future they can believe in, we have to fight for it.” Florida Rep. Maxwell Frost also urged the protesters to take action, donate to mutual aid, participate in direction action, and focus on legislative strategies.
