Tens of thousands of demonstrators took to the streets across the United States on Saturday in what organisers say was the largest single day of protest against President Donald Trump since his return to office. The “Hands Off!” demonstrations spanned more than 1,200 locations nationwide, with additional rallies held in Canada, Mexico, and several European cities including London, Berlin, and Paris.
Backed by over 150 civil rights groups, unions, LGBTQ+ advocates, veterans’ associations, and other networks, the protests covered a wide range of concerns—from immigration and economic policy to social security, healthcare, and human rights. In major cities such as Washington, New York, Los Angeles, and Boston, large crowds assembled peacefully to voice opposition to what many view as an aggressive dismantling of public institutions.
Citizens speak out against Trump’s policy changes
In Washington, D.C., thousands gathered near the Washington Monument despite overcast skies and intermittent rain. Attendees held signs referencing a variety of issues, including foreign policy, LGBTQ+ rights, and economic insecurity. Notable speakers included Democratic members of Congress and activists like Kelley Robinson, president of the Human Rights Campaign, who criticised what she described as direct attacks on the LGBTQ+ community.
Protesters across the country shared similar sentiments. In Stamford, Connecticut, 84-year-old Sue-ann Friedman voiced her concerns about cuts to medical research funding. In Baltimore, demonstrators rallied outside the Social Security Administration, worried about the implications of staffing reductions. Linda Falcao, nearing retirement, reminded the crowd, “I’ve paid into Social Security since I was 16. I depend on those benefits, and I deserve to receive them.”
From veterans of previous protests like Deborah Doherty in San Jose, California, to first-time demonstrators such as retired lawyer Paul Kretschmann, there was a widespread sense of urgency.
Trump and Musk’s federal cuts spark backlash
A major flashpoint of the protests was the recent reduction of over 200,000 federal jobs, spearheaded by the newly formed Department of Government Efficiency under Elon Musk, a close Trump adviser. The initiative has also affected the Internal Revenue Service, which began laying off nearly a quarter of its workforce, and the Social Security Administration, where field offices are reportedly at risk of closure.
Critics argue that the job cuts have been carried out haphazardly, weakening essential public services. Musk maintains the downsizing is a cost-saving measure aimed at increasing efficiency. However, many protesters believe the strategy is part of a broader effort to consolidate presidential power and weaken federal oversight.
A divided nation, A growing movement
While President Trump spent the day golfing at his Florida club in Jupiter, demonstrators near Mar-a-Lago held signs such as “Markets tank, Trump golfs,” highlighting what they see as a disconnect between leadership and public concerns. The White House responded with a statement affirming Trump’s commitment to preserving Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid for eligible citizens, while accusing opponents of threatening the financial stability of those programmes.
Saturday’s protests mark the most significant mobilisation since Trump’s return to office, echoing the scale of the 2017 Women’s March and Black Lives Matter demonstrations. With events unfolding in every US state and abroad, organisers say the Hands Off! movement is only gaining momentum.
