On April 5, 2025, hundreds of thousands of Americans flooded streets, parks, and federal buildings across all 50 states in the largest coordinated protests since Donald Trump began his second term. Dubbed the “Hands Off!” movement, these demonstrations united diverse groups under a shared demand: stop the erosion of democracy, social programs, and civil liberties under Trump and his billionaire ally, Elon Musk 1
The Spark: Why Protesters Mobilized
The protests targeted a sweeping agenda by the Trump administration and Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), which has slashed over 200,000 federal jobs, dismantled agencies like the Department of Education, and proposed drastic cuts to Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid . Additional grievances included:
- Authoritarian Overreach: Critics decried Trump’s expansion of executive power, including ignoring court orders on immigration and tariffs that triggered a stock market crash
- Attacks on Marginalized Communities: LGBTQ+ rights, immigrant protections, and reproductive freedoms faced rollbacks, while federal workers and unions saw collective bargaining rights stripped
- Musk’s Controversial Role: As DOGE head, Musk has overseen mass layoffs and mocked democratic norms, earning chants of “Elon Musk has got to go!” at rallies
A Movement of Many Voices
The protests drew an unprecedented coalition:
- Federal Workers & Unions: National Federation of Federal Employees President Randy Erwin condemned the administration’s “cruel joke” of gutting public services while claiming efficiency
- Veterans: Retired service members like Colleen Boland framed their activism as upholding their oath against “domestic enemies”
- Marginalized Groups: LGBTQ+ advocates, immigrants, and disability rights activists highlighted personal stakes, such as threats to healthcare and education funding
- Everyday Citizens: Retirees, farmers, and first-time protesters like Patty Kim joined out of fear for Social Security and democratic norms
Notable Moments:
- In Washington, D.C., Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-MD) lambasted Trump’s “economy-crashing dictatorship,” while Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) rallied crowds to “fight for due process”
- A 77-year-old Smithsonian retiree, Howard Bass, carried a sign listing 11 “Hands Off” demands, including academic freedom and Social Security
- In Lafayette, Indiana, tensions flared when a protester headbutted a driver who brandished a firearm, though no injuries were reported
Global Solidarity
The movement resonated beyond U.S. borders:
- Europe: Protests in Berlin, Paris, and London saw expatriates and allies rallying with signs like “Resist Tyrant” and “Greenland is Not for Sale”
- Economic Fallout: Trump’s tariffs, which triggered a historic stock market plunge, drew ire in West Palm Beach, where signs read: “Markets tank, Trump golfs”
Administration Response
The White House dismissed the protests, reiterating Trump’s commitment to “protect Social Security” while accusing Democrats of “bankrupting programs” by supporting undocumented immigrants 18. Trump himself remained silent, spending the day golfing in Florida.
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