AMERICA NEWS WORLD | April 6, 2025 | 10:06 PM PDT
In an unprecedented display of resistance, thousands of demonstrators flooded the streets across all 50 U.S. states on Saturday, April 5, 2025, to protest the policies of President Donald Trump’s administration and his influential ally, billionaire Elon Musk. Dubbed the “Hands Off!” protests, over 1,200 demonstrations were organized nationwide, uniting a coalition of more than 150 groups, including civil rights organizations, labor unions, and LGBTQ+ advocates.
The protests, which erupted in cities from New York to Alaska, were a direct response to a series of controversial moves by the Trump administration, including widespread federal layoffs, aggressive immigration crackdowns, mass deportation plans, and an apparent expansion of presidential authority. Demonstrators also targeted Musk, who leads the newly formed Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), accusing him of orchestrating drastic cuts to federal programs and jobs, which they claim threaten the fabric of American democracy and social welfare.
In Washington, D.C., thousands gathered near the Washington Monument, braving gloomy skies and light rain to voice their outrage. Signs reading “Protect our Constitution” and “Hands off our rights” dotted the crowd, while chants of “Hey ho, Trump’s gotta go” echoed through the National Mall. Similar scenes unfolded globally, with solidarity protests reported in cities like London, Berlin, and Paris, where demonstrators decried Trump’s global tariff policies and Musk’s influence on U.S. governance.
Organizers described the demonstrations as a rejection of what they call a “hostile takeover” of American rights and freedoms by Trump and Musk. “They’re taking everything they can get their hands on—our healthcare, our jobs, our services—and daring the world to stop them,” a statement from the coalition read. From Boston to Los Angeles, protesters highlighted specific grievances, including the closure of Social Security Administration offices, the slashing of veteran services, and the rollback of protections for marginalized communities.
The scale of the protests marks the largest single-day mobilization against Trump since his return to office in January 2025, surpassing earlier demonstrations in both scope and intensity. Political figures, including Democratic Representative Jamie Raskin of Maryland, joined the rallies, with Raskin warning of an “insidious rise of authoritarianism” driven by “corrupt billionaires and mega-corporations.”
As the Trump administration presses forward with its agenda, the “Hands Off!” movement signals a growing opposition, promising sustained resistance to what protesters see as an assault on democratic values and economic stability. With tensions rising, the world watches as the U.S. grapples with this pivotal moment in its political landscape.