Millions of people participated in protests against President Donald Trump and Elon Musk on April 5, 2025, in a massive campaign dubbed "Hands Off!" The demonstrations spanned over 1,400 locations across all 50 states and included major cities worldwide, such as London and Paris. Organized by a coalition of civil rights advocates, the protests aimed to counter what participants described as a "hostile takeover" and an assault on the rights and freedoms of American citizens.
The protests were marked by a diverse array of participants, including women's rights groups, LGBTQ+ advocates, and labor unions. According to Indivisible, one of the leading organizations behind the movement, nearly 600,000 people registered to participate in the demonstrations. The events were designed to send a clear message: "We need to make them listen to us," as stated by protest organizers.
In cities from Midtown Manhattan to Anchorage, Alaska, protesters expressed their discontent with Trump and Musk's policies regarding government downsizing, economic issues, immigration, and human rights. In Seattle, under the iconic Space Needle, demonstrators held signs reading, "Fight the Ruling Class!" while in Portland and Los Angeles, chants echoed through the streets as protesters marched from Pershing Square to City Hall.
One flyer inviting people to join the protests emphasized the urgency of the moment, stating, "Whether you’re stirred by the assault on our democracy, job cuts, privacy violations, or the erosion of our services, this moment is for you." The protests aimed to create a national repudiation of what participants viewed as a crisis.
Among the key demands articulated by organizers were three primary points: an end to the dominance of billionaires and the pervasive corruption of the Trump administration, a cessation of federal funding cuts to essential programs like Medicaid and Social Security, and a halt to the attacks on immigrants, transgender individuals, and other marginalized communities.
Jamie Raskin, a Democratic Congressman from Maryland, addressed the crowd at the Washington Monument, stating, "There is no future if the president has Mussolini-style politics and Herbert Hoover-style economics." Raskin emphasized that the founders of the nation did not draft a constitution that began with "We are a dictatorship," but rather "We the People." He condemned the current administration's actions, asserting that no moral person would desire a dictatorship that destroys the economy and values.
Protesters at the National Mall shouted, "Hey, Trump, get out!" while holding signs proclaiming, "Protect Our Constitution" and "Don’t Touch Our Rights." Ilhan Omar, a Democratic Congresswoman from Minnesota, urged attendees to fight for justice, declaring, "If you believe our country cares for our neighbors, looks after the poor, and ensures our children have a future they can believe in, we must fight for it."
Maxwell Frost, a Congressman from Florida, called for collective action, encouraging citizens to protest, donate to mutual aid efforts, and engage in legal strategies. He remarked, "Throughout human history, authoritarian figures have never been satisfied with the power they possess; they test boundaries, break laws, and look to see if the people remain silent or raise their voices."
In Los Angeles, demonstrators marched a mile to City Hall, chanting, "Power to the People!" while holding signs with messages like "Don’t Touch Education" and "Resist, Resist!" Meanwhile, hundreds gathered in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, near Trump’s golf course, where he was attending a Senior Club Championship. Protesters lined PGA Drive, inviting passing cars to honk in solidarity.
In Boston, participants held signs stating, "Don’t Mess with Our Democracy" and "Don’t Touch Our Social Security." Mayor Michelle Wu expressed her concerns about raising children in a world where threats and intimidation are government tactics, emphasizing the importance of values like diversity and equality.
Demonstrators in Charlotte, North Carolina, voiced their support for various issues, from Social Security and education to immigration and women’s reproductive rights. Britt Castello, a 35-year-old protester, stated, "No matter what party you belong to or who you vote for, what’s happening now is appalling. It’s disgusting, and while our current system may be crumbling, the approach the government is taking to fix it is not the right one. They aren’t listening to the people."
Trump's administration has been characterized by a clear effort to reduce federal spending without regard for its impact on citizens. Thousands of federal employees have been laid off or received immediate termination notices as part of Trump and Musk's downsizing plans. Musk, the world’s richest billionaire, has aggressively pushed policies to cut spending as head of the newly established Department of Government Efficiency, all while misleading the public about federal spending.
In a statement before the protests began, organizers highlighted that Trump and Musk have created an unnecessary crisis under the belief that "this country belongs to them alone." They accused the duo of using everything they can grab, from healthcare services to jobs, and challenging the world to stop them.
While the protests were largely peaceful, an incident occurred in Lafayette, Indiana, where a man retrieved a rifle from his truck and approached the crowd. Police reported that he attempted to make a legal turn near the county courthouse but was blocked by protesters. After a confrontation, he returned to his vehicle and retrieved the firearm, claiming self-defense. Police later stated that after investigating the incident, they found he did not aim the weapon at anyone and released him.
In Washington, D.C., the presidents of two federal employee unions spoke out against Trump and his policies targeting federal workers. Randy Erwin, president of the National Federation of Federal Employees, stated, "Trump’s government is utterly destroying public services in this country. They claim they are making government more efficient, but that’s a joke. They are doing the exact opposite." Meanwhile, Everett Kelley, president of the American Federation of Government Employees, declared, "We will not be intimidated. We will not be silenced. We will stand up and say, 'Don’t mess with our unions.'"
Erwin described the Trump administration’s actions as "the biggest assault on collective bargaining we’ve ever seen in this country." Since taking office, Trump has attempted to reshape the federal workforce, ending remote work for state employees and advising agencies on how to cancel union bargaining agreements.
As the protests unfolded, the international community also joined in. Hundreds gathered in Paris, Berlin, London, Lisbon, and other cities across Europe to protest against Trump and Musk. In Paris, around 200 protesters, mostly Americans, assembled at Place de la République, condemning the president. Many waved signs that read, "Defend Democracy" and "Freedom Activists, Not Fascists." In Berlin, demonstrators protested outside a Tesla showroom, urging fellow Americans living abroad to join in the fight to “end the chaos” at home.
Overall, it is estimated that nearly 700 protests took place globally as part of this one-day international effort against President Trump.
