Demonstrations erupted across various cities in the United States on Wednesday in response to the early actions of the Trump administration. Protestors expressed concerns over a range of issues, including immigration policies, the reversal of transgender rights, and proposals that suggested the forced relocation of Palestinians from the Gaza Strip.
In several state capitals, including California, Minnesota, Michigan, Texas, Wisconsin, and Indiana, crowds gathered, holding placards that criticized President Donald Trump and billionaire Elon Musk, who leads the newly established Department of Government Efficiency. Protesters condemned Project 2025, which is viewed as a far-right blueprint for American governance and society.
“I am disturbed by the rapid changes to our democracy over the past few weeks, and I feel it’s important to make our resistance visible,” voiced Margaret Wilmeth during a protest outside the Statehouse in Columbus, Ohio. The protests were largely fueled by a movement that gained traction online under the hashtags #buildtheresistance and #50501, representing the goal of organizing fifty protests across fifty states in one day. Calls for action circulated on social media, promoting messages that urged people to “reject fascism” and “defend our democracy.”
In Lansing, Michigan, a large gathering braved the cold, signaling growing discontent. Catie Miglietti from Ann Arbor shared her unease about Musk’s proposed access to Treasury Department data, illustrating her protest sign with a graphic that depicted Musk manipulating Trump, referencing Musk’s gestures that some viewers interpreted as a Nazi salute. “Without intervention from Congress, this poses a threat to democracy,” she warned.
Critique of the Department of Government Efficiency and Musk echoed throughout various protests. In Jefferson City, Missouri, a sign boldly questioned Musk’s involvement with the Social Security administration, stating, “Why does Elon have your Social Security info?” Concerns from lawmakers surrounding DOGE’s potential influence on government payment systems have been raised, suggesting risks to the security and reliability of payments for vital programs like Social Security and Medicare. A Treasury official clarified that a tech executive involved with DOGE would be permitted “read-only access.”
In the initial weeks of his administration, Trump has enacted numerous executive orders on a variety of topics such as immigration, trade, and climate change. As dissatisfaction with his policies continues to grow, the number of protests has surged. Demonstrators made their presence known in downtown Austin, Texas, marched in Atlanta toward the state capitol, and gathered outside the California legislature in Sacramento. In Denver, protests coincided with activities conducted by Immigration and Customs Enforcement, resulting in several detentions. In Phoenix, crowds shouted phrases like “deport Elon” and “no hate, no fear, immigrants are welcome here.”
“We need to demonstrate our resolve,” stated Laura Wilde, an ex-occupational therapist from Austin. “I believe we are in a state of shock.” Thousands turned out in St. Paul, Minnesota, where Hallie Parten carried a sign that playfully referenced a Democratic presidential campaign by altering it to read “Harris Walz Were Right.” Parten shared that her participation was driven by anxiety regarding the future of the country. “We must take action or face dire consequences,” she emphasized.
In Iowa’s capital, protesters at the Capitol in Des Moines interrupted a scheduled event by the conservative group Moms for Liberty, expressing their sentiments vocally for about fifteen minutes before law enforcement intervened, leading to the removal of four demonstrators.
Meanwhile, in Alabama, several hundred gathered at the Statehouse to voice their opposition to recent measures perceived as targeting LGBTQ+ individuals. The backlash came after Alabama Governor Kay Ivey stated her intention to sign a bill that would classify biological sex strictly as male or female, mirroring Trump’s recent executive order. “The president may believe he holds significant power,” said Rev. Julie Conrady, a Unitarian Universalist minister, addressing the crowd. “However, he cannot dictate your gender or identity.”
Overall, the protests have demonstrated a significant wave of resistance against the actions and policies of the current administration, indicating that the public response to these developments is robust and far-reaching.
