Nationwide Protests Over Trump and Musk Mobilize Thousands in U.S.

On Saturday, a large-scale wave of protests swept through the United States as thousands took to the streets to voice their discontent with President Donald Trump’s policies. This event marks one of the most significant days of demonstrations since Trump resumed office, mobilizing a diverse coalition of civil rights, labor, LGBTQ+ activists, and over 150 organizations united under the “Hands Off!” campaign.

The protests spanned more than 1,200 locations across all 50 states, creating a unified call for change regarding issues such as government downsizing, immigration reforms, and human rights advocacy. Key areas of protest included the National Mall in Washington D.C., Midtown Manhattan, and Boston Common, as well as several state capitols.

In Phoenix, Arizona, protester Liliana Novati expressed the frustrations shared by many, stating, “They’re hurting everybody in this nation, whether they know it or not, except for the billionaires.” This perspective highlights concerns that the administration's decisions adversely impact vulnerable segments of the population while favoring the wealthy.

Demonstrators voiced strong opposition to several controversial policies executed by the administration, such as the dismissal of federal employees, the closure of Social Security offices, and the deportation of immigrants. In defending these actions, Elon Musk described them as necessary cost-saving measures.

Protester Emory Webb articulated concerns about the underlying implications of these policies, stating, “I came here to protest what brought President Donald Trump and Elon Musk to where they’re at.” This sentiment reflects a broader worry regarding potential disruptions to essential legal protections and checks on power.

At the National Mall, speakers, including Democratic lawmakers, criticized the administration’s treatment of the LGBTQ+ community. Kelley Robinson from the Human Rights Campaign declared, “The attacks that we’re seeing, they’re not just political. They are personal, y’all.”

Further protests in Phoenix demonstrated collective fatigue with current policies, as participant Liahla Ferra noted, “Everybody speaking up, getting out there and saying hands off of everything when it comes to our policies, our children’s medical, Social Security, just all of it.”

Protester Jack Echeverri highlighted the intentions of the demonstrations, emphasizing, “I think that the goals of the protests were really to show the discontent that we have with the current administration and how they aren’t listening to the people.”

Despite the turnout and unified message against the administration, the White House reiterated its stance, with a statement claiming, “President Trump’s position is clear: he will always protect Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid for eligible beneficiaries.” The statement criticized Democrats for purportedly pursuing policies that could jeopardize these essential programs, calling their actions a threat to American seniors.

For individuals like Novati, the protests also served a dual purpose: to urge Democratic leaders for a more assertive stance and to signal to the global community that resistance to the administration’s policies is robust and unwavering. “I want the rest of the world to know that we are still gonna fight. We still need to fight. Because we’re not gonna lie down and just let it happen,” she asserted.