On Saturday, April 5, hundreds of “Hands Off” protests erupted across all 50 states, attracting thousands of participants who gathered to express their dissent against Donald Trump and Elon Musk.
These demonstrations were organized by over 150 LGBTQ+ advocacy groups, labor unions, veterans, and civil rights organizations. Protesters voiced concerns about numerous actions taken by the Trump administration in recent weeks, including the termination of thousands of federal employees, the closure of Social Security Administration offices, the deportation of immigrants, and attacks on the rights of transgender individuals, among others.
Many of these initiatives have been spearheaded by Elon Musk, who currently heads the Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE.
Social media has been flooded with photos and videos showcasing the large crowds. Political commentator Art Candee noted that there was “a MASSIVE crowd of protesters” in Boston and also shared a video from another protest in Ohio.
According to the organization Move On, “This is a nationwide mobilization to stop the most brazen power grab in modern history. Trump, Musk, and their billionaire cronies are orchestrating an all-out assault on our government, our economy, and our basic rights – enabled by Congress every step of the way.”
They further stated, “They want to strip America for parts – shuttering social security offices, firing essential workers, eliminating consumer protections, and gutting Medicaid – all to bankroll their billionaire tax scam. They’re handing over our tax dollars, our public services, and our democracy to the ultra-rich. If we don’t fight now, there won’t be anything left to save.”
The White House responded to the protests, asserting, “President Trump’s position is clear: he will always protect Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid for eligible beneficiaries. Meanwhile, the Democrats’ stance is giving Social Security, Medicaid, and Medicare benefits to illegal aliens, which will bankrupt these programs and crush American seniors.”
The sweeping actions by the Trump administration have faced legal challenges. On February 28, Judge William Alsup ruled that the office overseeing many federal job cuts “does not have any authority whatsoever, under any statute in the history of the universe, to hire and fire employees at another agency.”
In March, news anchors and notable figures, including Whoopi Goldberg on “The View,” expressed concerns about the administration’s actions, pointing out that Trump’s “border czar” Tom Homan previously stated that “legal immigrants are perfectly safe” from deportation, a statement that may not hold true now.
“This is what he said. This is not what they’re doing,” she emphasized. “And yes, this is on us. Because the next one they take could be you.”
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