WASHINGTON — Critics of President Donald Trump and billionaire Elon Musk schedule to gather today nationwide to demonstrate the administration’s actions Regarding government reductions, economic matters, civil liberties, and various topics.
Over 1,200 " Hands Off! " demonstrations organized by over 150 groups—including civil rights associations, trade unions, LGBTQ+ supporters, veteran organizations, and election-focused activists—are set to take place at the National Mall in Washington, D.C., various state capitals, and multiple sites across all 50 states.
Demonstrators are criticizing the Trump administration’s actions regarding terminate tens of thousands of government employees , shut down Social Security Administration field offices , effectively shutter entire agencies , deport immigrants , reduce safeguards for transgender individuals and reduce financial support from the government for healthcare initiatives .
Musk, an advisor to President Trump and owner of companies like Tesla, SpaceX, and the social media site X, has been instrumental in reducing governmental operations as the leader of the recently established Department of Government Efficiency. According to him, his efforts have saved taxpayers billions of dollars.
In response to the protests, the White House issued a statement saying that "President Trump firmly stands by his commitment to safeguarding Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid for those who qualify as beneficiaries. On the contrary, according to the Democrats' perspective, providing support from Social Security, Medicaid, and Medicare to individuals without proper documentation could lead to financial ruin of these programs and adversely affect senior citizens."
Activists have staged nationwide demonstrations opposed Trump or Musk repeatedly following the change in leadership. However, the protest movement hasn't managed to spark a large-scale mobilization akin to the Women’s March in 2017 , which attracted thousands of women to Washington, D.C., following Trump’s initial inauguration, as well as the Black Lives Matter protests that broke out across several urban centers following the death of George Floyd in 2020.
Organizers express their desire for Saturday’s protests to become the biggest turnout since Trump returned to office in January.