Thousands of protesters gathered in Washington, D.C., and across the U.S. on Saturday, part of some 1,300 demonstrations against President Donald Trump and his billionaire ally Elon Musk since they launched their effort to overhaul government and expand presidential authority.
People streamed onto the grass surrounding the Washington Monument under gloomy skies.Some 150 activist groups participated, with protests planned in all 50 states plus Canada and Mexico.
Why Americans Took to the Streets
Terry Klein, a retired biomedical scientist from Princeton, New Jersey, said she drove down to protest Trump’s policies on “everything from immigration to the tariffs this week, to education. Our whole country is under attack, all of our institutions.”
Some carried Ukrainian flags while others wore Palestinian keffiyeh scarves and carried “Free Palestine” signs, as Democrats from the House of Representatives blasted Trump’s policies on stage.
Protests Beyond Washington
In West Palm Beach, hundreds of demonstrators gathered near Mar-a-Lago. “Markets tank, Trump golfs,” read one sign.
Sue-ann Friedman, 84, brought a bright pink sign objecting to the administration’s cuts to medical research funding. “I thought my marching days were over, and then we get somebody like Musk and Trump,” she said.
Paul Kretschmann, a 74-year-old retired attorney, attending his first protest, worried: “My concern is that Social Security is going to be gutted. I’m afraid this is all part of a larger plan to dismantle the government.”
White House Response
White House assistant press secretary Liz Huston disputed claims that Trump aimed to cut Social Security: “President Trump will always protect Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid for eligible beneficiaries. Meanwhile, Democrats’ stance is giving these benefits to illegal aliens, which will bankrupt these programs.”
International Solidarity
Anti-Trump Americans in Europe gathered in Berlin, Frankfurt, Paris and London to voice opposition to Trump’s policies. In London, protesters held signs reading, “WTAF America?” and “Stop hurting people,” chanting “hands off Canada” and “hands off Ukraine.”
Public Opinion Shifts
Recent polls show Trump’s approval rating has dropped to 43%, down from 47% at his January inauguration. Only 37% approve of his handling of the economy, while 30% approve of his cost of living strategy.