‘Hands Off ’ protesters rally nationwide against Trump’s policies
Tens of thousands in the US and Europe unite to denounce the Trump administration’s actions
Tens of thousands of demonstrators across the United States and Europe took to the streets on Saturday to protest the Trump administration’s sweeping efforts to overhaul the federal government and expand presidential authority. The rallies also targeted the influential role of adviser and billionaire Elon Musk, who heads the newly formed Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
More than 1,200 “Hands Off” rallies were organized nationwide, with major gatherings in Washington, DC’s National Mall and in cities across all 50 states. Organizers estimated that over 250,000 people participated in what has become one of the largest single-day mobilizations opposing Trump’s second-term initiatives.
Demonstrators voiced strong opposition to a series of aggressive executive orders and controversial government restructuring spearheaded by Musk’s DOGE. The changes have already led to the elimination of over 200,000 federal jobs and steep cuts in benefits, particularly affecting the IRS and Social Security Administration.
“This is one of the largest protests we’ve seen since Trump’s re-election, and it reflects growing public frustration,” said Hanna.
Organizers acknowledged that the rallies wouldn’t bring immediate change, but emphasized their symbolic significance. “This moment matters—it’s a show of unity against what Trump represents,” Hanna added.
In Chicago, thousands gathered downtown in a protest that was “largely a union crowd,” according to Al Jazeera News “These people are worried about their livelihoods,” he said. “Their message to Trump and Musk is simple: ‘Hands off.’”
In New York’s Bryant Park, demonstrators carried placards reading “Unplug Elon” and “I can only write this because there used to be a Department of Education.”
Human Rights Campaign President Kelley Robinson addressed a Washington rally, denouncing the administration’s treatment of marginalized communities. “These attacks aren’t just political—they’re personal,” she said, as reported by AFP.
Demonstrations also erupted in cities like Atlanta, Boston, Miami, and Charlotte, with demands focused on immigration, healthcare, and labor rights.
Global Solidarity
International protests echoed the sentiments expressed in the US. American expatriates and local supporters rallied in cities including Berlin, Frankfurt, Paris, and London. In Paris, around 200 demonstrators many of them Americans gathered at Place de la République, holding signs that read “Resist Tyrant,” “Rule of Law,” and “Feminists for Freedom, Not Fascism.”
Timothy Kautz, a spokesperson for Democrats Abroad, emphasized the global importance of the moment. “We stand in solidarity with those protesting in hundreds of cities across the U.S.,” he told Reuters.
Ezra Levin, co-founder of Indivisible, one of the key organizing groups, told Reuters: “This is a massive show of resistance—a message to Musk, Trump, congressional Republicans, and the MAGA machine that we reject their grip on our democracy, our communities, and our schools.”
White House Response
The White House defended the administration’s reforms. Assistant Press Secretary Liz Huston stated, “President Trump has been clear: he will protect Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid for eligible recipients. Democrats, on the other hand, want to extend these benefits to illegal immigrants risking insolvency and harming American seniors.”
Pro-Palestinian groups also joined the Washington protests, criticizing the administration’s continued support for Israeli military actions in Gaza and its handling of domestic campus protests related to the conflict.
Watch This Important Video
