Tens of thousands of demonstrators gathered in Washington on Saturday to protest against the policies of Donald Trump and Elon Musk, displaying signs with messages denouncing the two men for their actions that protesters see as threats to US democracy. Organized by civil society group Indivisible, the Hands Off rally featured speeches from Democratic members of Congress and other organizations, calling on Americans to resist the current administration’s anti-democratic actions. The event was part of roughly 1,000 similar protests across the country aimed at building a mass movement to oppose Trump and Musk’s policies.
The protest came amid concerns that Trump was implementing his agenda without sufficient opposition, but also following the Democrats’ victory in a Wisconsin supreme court race that Musk had backed unsuccessfully. The recent roll-out of import tariffs by Trump fueled economic fears and contributed to the rally’s message of resistance. Speakers at the event emphasized the need for sustained protest to effect change, with hopes that the demonstrations would empower more Americans to join the movement against Trump and Musk.
Congressional Democrats at the rally expressed optimism that the protests would lead to success in the upcoming midterm elections, noting that electoral victories, coupled with popular resistance, are necessary to combat authoritarianism. The goal of the protests was to send a message to officials and institutions that opposition to the current administration is strong and growing, with the hope that a sustained movement will ultimately protect democracy and bring about necessary change.
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