Actress Jodie Sweetin made headlines once again, not for a nostalgic "Full House" reunion but for her bold presence at a rally opposing Donald Trump. The 43-year-old actress, best known for playing Stephanie Tanner on the beloved sitcom, was spotted on the steps of Los Angeles City Hall on Saturday, April 5, 2025, wearing a black baseball cap emblazoned with a blunt political message: "We f—ing hate Donald Trump." Clad in all black—shirt, leggings, and shades—Sweetin was photographed alongside throngs of demonstrators, echoing her longstanding commitment to social justice rallies.
Sweetin joined the massive Hands Off! protest movement aimed at Trump, Elon Musk, and the broader Republican agenda. The now-viral accessory, which made waves on social media after being shared by the Daily Mail, was a clear statement of her political stance. According to the Los Angeles Times, roughly 500,000 people registered for protests across the country, organized by coalitions rallying against what they’re calling the "Trump-Musk billionaire takeover."
The L.A. march began in Pershing Square, with Sweetin taking the mic to address the crowd under the California sun. "This mass mobilization day is our message to the world that we do not consent to the destruction of our government and our economy for the benefit of Trump and his billionaire allies," the event description for the "Hands Off" protest read. "Alongside Americans across the country, we are marching, rallying, and protesting to demand a stop to the chaos and build an opposition movement against the looting of our country," it added.
Sweetin's activism isn't new. She previously made headlines in 2022 after being shoved by LAPD officers during an abortion rights protest in Los Angeles. Her commitment to social issues has been evident in her public statements and actions. In 2023, Sweetin distanced herself from a film sold to the conservative network Great American Family, stating, "I was very surprised to learn by reading about it in the press yesterday that the independent film I worked on over a year ago was sold to Great American Family. I am disappointed, but in keeping with my mission of supporting the LGBTQ+ family, any potential or future money made from this sale will be donated to LGBTQ+ organizations."
Saturday’s protests stretched across the country, from Boston Common to the streets of Manhattan and the steps of ICE headquarters in Washington, D.C. The immediate trigger for the protests was the detention of three Palestinian students—Rumeysa Ozturk, Ranjani Srinivasani, and Mahmoud Khalil—by ICE earlier this month. Ozturk, a 30-year-old doctoral student from Tufts, was arrested while walking through a Boston suburb and transferred to a detention center in Louisiana. The Department of Homeland Security claimed the students were detained over "support for Hamas," prompting backlash from civil rights organizations who argue that the move was unlawful.
As protests erupted nationwide over the weekend in response to Trump’s escalating policy agenda, the most prominent voices weren’t celebrity activists or high-ranking political figures but the people on the ground—organizing, marching, and demanding change. In Los Angeles, the mood was urgent but resolute as speakers took the stage to denounce what they view as creeping authoritarianism and a deepening wealth divide. The event, like many across the country, was defined not by high-profile headliners but by local organizers and everyday citizens who’ve had enough.
One such organizer, Alex Vargas, chair of the California Young Democrats labor caucus, emphasized the need for change: "We believe in unionizing more workplaces and holding greedy bosses and the rich accountable. We’re seeing the largest transfer of wealth since the Gilded Age. More people at the top have that wealth and we get nothing." The reasons for showing up varied, but the common thread was a disillusionment with a government that many feel is failing to serve its people.
Meanwhile, Trump spent Saturday golfing at his Florida resort and has not commented on the nationwide demonstrations. However, he defended his economic plans on Truth Social, seemingly unfazed by the protests. In Los Angeles, the downtown event featured political street theater, including an Uncle Sam figure holding a sign that read "LIBERTY," a woman dressed as a skeleton in a Trump-themed gown, and a speaker who introduced himself as a "trillionaire for Trump." Hovering above the crowd was a giant Humpty Dumpty balloon styled with Trump’s signature hairdo.
Los Angeles County Republican Party Chairwoman Roxanne Hoge dismissed the demonstrations as "boring, predictable tantrums," adding that they held little significance for the Trump administration. "Radical leftists are protesting President Donald Trump with marches and a parade balloon?" Hoge said, per the LA Times. "We are interested in good governance and public safety, and wish our Democrat friends would join us in advocating for both."
As the Hands Off! protests unfolded across the nation, they served as a powerful reminder of the growing dissatisfaction among many Americans regarding the current political climate. With Sweetin at the forefront in Los Angeles, the message was clear: the fight against what they see as a takeover by wealthy elites will continue.
