'Hands Off!': Nationwide protests against Donald Trump and Musk’s government cuts

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Thousands of demonstrators are expected to protest across the United States against the policies of President Trump and Elon Musk. The protests, organized by over 150 groups, will take place in all 50 states, opposing layoffs of federal workers, reduction in civil rights protections, and cuts to essential services.

Thousands of demonstrators across the United States are expected to take to the streets on Saturday in a coordinated protest against the policies introduced by US President Donald Trump and billionaire businessman Elon Musk.

The “Hands Off!” movement, backed by more than 150 civil rights groups, trade unions, LGBTQ+ advocates, veterans and fair-election campaigners, has organised over 1,200 rallies across all 50 states.

Major gatherings are planned at the National Mall in Washington, DC, as well as at state capitols and other prominent locations. The protests aimed to oppose major government changes that critics believe could cost people their jobs and weaken civil rights and essential services.

Protesters are particularly concerned about the administration’s efforts to lay off thousands of federal workers, close social security offices, deport immigrants, reduce protections for transgender individuals and slash healthcare funding. There is also mounting unease about what they describe as the “effective dismantling” of entire government agencies.

Elon Musk, who is serving as head of the newly formed department of government efficiency, became a central figure in the controversy. As the owner of Tesla, SpaceX and social media platform X, Musk has positioned himself as a reformer committed to cutting waste and saving taxpayer money.

He said that he is saving taxpayers billions of dollars.

Although protests against Trump and Musk have erupted several times since Trump’s return to the White House in January, none have yet reached the scale of historic demonstrations such as the 2017 Women’s March or the Black Lives Matter protests of 2020.

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