S aturday, April 5, cities across the United States—and even around the world—were filled with demonstrators taking part in the nationwide “Hands Off!” protests. The movement emerged in response to sweeping changes initiated by President Donald Trump and Elon Musk, the newly appointed head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
In the early weeks of Trump’s latest term, his administration—led in part by Tesla CEO Musk—has launched aggressive efforts to reduce what they call “government waste.” These efforts have included mass layoffs in the public sector, canceled federal contracts, and even a controversial attempt to dismantle the Department of Education.
The protests represented a collective outcry against these policies, bringing together advocates for LGBTQ+ rights, immigrant protections, environmental justice, and social welfare programs.
In Washington D.C., a woman stood on the National Mall holding a sign that read, “Stop Destroying America,” a sentiment echoed by thousands across the country.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt responded to the protests in a statement to USA TODAY, saying: “Anyone who thinks protests, lawsuits, and lawfare will deter President Trump must have been sleeping under a rock for the past several years. President Trump will not be deterred from delivering on the promises he made to make our federal government more efficient and more accountable to the hardworking American taxpayers who overwhelmingly re-elected him.”
According to an organizing toolkit shared by protest leaders, the demonstrations aimed to show a “massive, visible, national rejection of this crisis.” The protests came shortly after Trump announced a new round of tariffs on April 2—dubbed “Liberation Day”—which triggered a sharp drop in the U.S. stock market.
“Our message is clear,” the toolkit read. “Whether you’re outraged by attacks on democracy, mass job losses, privacy violations, or threats to public services—this is the time to rise. The people—the majority—are taking action to stop corruption and unchecked power.”
Protesters demanded an end to what they call a “billionaire takeover” of the federal government, and called for the protection of Medicaid, Social Security, and other essential services. They also condemned recent policies targeting immigrant and transgender communities, as well as cuts to climate and health programs.
The movement reached far beyond U.S. borders. Demonstrations took place in major cities like London, Paris, Stockholm, and Berlin. Outside the U.S. embassy in Berlin, a woman held a sign reading, “Hands off our Social Security.” In London, signs read “Hands off Europe” and “Greenland is not for sale,” referencing Trump’s past proposal to purchase Greenland from Denmark.
The “Hands Off!” movement has sent a powerful message: many people across the globe are watching—and resisting—what they see as a dangerous shift in American leadership.
