On Saturday, thousands of Americans gathered in cities throughout the US for what organizers called the biggest single day protest against President Donald Trump and his billionaire partner Elon Musk. This movement was ignited by their attempts to increase presidential power and reduce federal jobs, which started earlier this year. Nationwide, over 1,200 demonstrations occurred, with a significant turnout in Washington, DC, where more than 20,000 people went to the National Mall. Similar protests were held in all 50 states, as well as in Canada and Mexico.
Protesters took to the streets to denounce Trump’s recent executive orders on immigration, tariffs, and the cuts to the federal workforce driven by Musk, which have wiped out over 200,000 government jobs. The crowd was alive with signs that read “No Kings in the USA” and “Deport Musk.” Terry Klein, a retired scientist from New Jersey, remarked, “Our whole country is under attack; our institutions, our values.” David Madden, a veteran from Ohio, mentioned his concerns about “injustice” and “confusion in the courts” as his motivation for being there.
The protests also took aim at Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), which has been responsible for job cuts, including the recent announcement of 20,000 layoffs at the IRS. Outside the Social Security Administration office in Baltimore, retirees rallied against the reductions in staff and services. “I want my benefits; I’ve been paying into this system for decades,” said 64-year-old Linda Falcao, as chants of “It’s our money!” rang out among the crowd.