Over 1,200 anti-Trump demonstrations were held across the United States on Saturday, in what organizers described as the largest day of protest against President Donald Trump since his return to office. Thousands flooded the streets of Washington, D.C., despite gloomy skies and light rain, to protest executive orders, government job cuts, and the influence of billionaire ally Elon Musk.
A Nation in Protest
With more than 150 activist groups onboard, protests were reported in all 50 U.S. states, as well as in Canada and Mexico. Protesters lined up along Connecticut Avenue in Washington, holding signs that read “No Kings in the USA” and “Deport Musk.”
Many voiced outrage over the White House’s latest decisions, including sweeping job cuts and threats to long-standing programs. “Everything from immigration to tariffs to education is under attack,” said Terry Klein, a retired scientist who traveled from New Jersey to attend the rally.
Veterans and Retirees Join the Fight
David Madden, a 75-year-old Army veteran from Ohio, flew in to protest what he called the “institutional theft of democracy.” His concerns echoed widely as elderly citizens, veterans, and working-class Americans turned up in large numbers.
Outside the Social Security Administration headquarters near Baltimore, hundreds gathered to protest cuts to vital services. The agency recently announced layoffs of 7,000 employees and halted phone services for millions—triggering widespread panic among retirees and the disabled.
“I’ve paid into Social Security since I was 16. I need my money!” cried Linda Falcao, who turns 65 soon. The crowd joined her, chanting: “It’s our money!”
Government Job Cuts Trigger Fury
Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), spearheaded by Musk, has already slashed over 200,000 federal jobs. The IRS alone laid off 25% of its workforce—over 20,000 employees—just a day before the protests.
Critics claim these actions threaten vital public services and are disruptive to national stability. Many say the reforms mirror the goals of Project 2025, a conservative initiative pushing to centralize presidential power and reshape the federal government.
Global Solidarity
Support for the U.S. protests wasn’t limited to American soil. In cities like Berlin, Paris, Frankfurt, and London, hundreds of expats and foreign sympathizers rallied in solidarity. In Paris, protesters waved banners reading “Resist Tyrant” and “Save Democracy.”
Democrats Abroad spokesperson Timothy Kautz said, “We must stand united with the demonstrations across America.” Protester Jose Sanchez added, “Trump is a con man destroying democracy.”
White House Responds
In response, White House assistant press secretary Liz Huston rejected the criticism, claiming:
“President Trump will always protect Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid for eligible Americans. It’s the Democrats who want to give these benefits to illegal aliens, bankrupting the system.”
Despite the official denials, the protests mark a critical moment in U.S. politics, with citizens openly challenging what they see as a dangerous overreach of power.