(Reuters) — Thousands of protesters took to the streets in Washington, D.C., and across the United States on Saturday, in the largest single-day demonstration against President Donald Trump and his ally Elon Musk since Trump’s return to office in January.
Organizers coordinated more than 1,200 protests across all 50 states, as well as in Canada, Mexico, and several European cities. Under rainy skies in Washington, D.C., over 20,000 people gathered near the Washington Monument to oppose Trump’s sweeping government cuts, immigration crackdowns, and aggressive tariff policies.
Participants carried a wide array of signs — from Ukrainian flags to “Free Palestine” banners — reflecting the broad concerns against the administration. Democratic lawmakers also addressed the crowd, sharply criticizing Trump’s agenda.
“This administration is attacking everything that makes America what it is — from immigration to education,” said Terry Klein, a retired biomedical scientist from New Jersey.
Trump spent the day golfing at his club in Jupiter, Florida, before returning to his Mar-a-Lago estate, while hundreds of protesters gathered just miles away in West Palm Beach.
“Markets tank, Trump golfs,” read one sign, referencing the recent financial market instability caused by new trade tariffs.
Concerns Over Government Cuts
Protesters also voiced alarm over the massive job cuts underway at federal agencies, led by Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). The IRS announced plans to lay off 20,000 employees, while the Social Security Administration and other agencies faced similar reductions.
Near Baltimore, hundreds rallied outside the Social Security Administration’s headquarters. Linda Falcao, nearing retirement age, decried the cuts: “I’m terrified, I’m angry. I need my money. I want my benefits!” The crowd responded with chants of “It’s our money!”
White House officials defended the administration’s actions. Assistant Press Secretary Liz Huston claimed Trump would “always protect Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid” while accusing Democrats of risking these programs by allegedly extending benefits to undocumented immigrants.
Despite legal challenges that have slowed parts of Trump’s agenda — including efforts to fire civil servants and restrict immigration — the administration continues pushing reforms rooted in Project 2025, a conservative blueprint aimed at reshaping the federal government.
Global Solidarity
Support for the protests extended overseas, with hundreds of Americans gathering in cities like Berlin, Frankfurt, Paris, and London to voice their opposition to Trump’s policies.
Saturday’s protests marked a major escalation in public resistance to the Trump administration, signaling growing concern over the future of American democracy and global leadership.
