The nation-wide ‘Hands Off’ protests against the Trump administration were held not only in all 50 states, Washington D.C., and Puerto Rico, but also in several countries overseas.
The ‘Hands Off’ rallies were organized to protest the Trump administration’s firing of federal workers, cuts to Medicaid and Social Security, and removal of climate change mitigation plans. However, people also showed up to the marches to protest ‘Signal-gate’, ICE raids on college campuses, and the new economic tariffs.
Although overseas ‘Hands Off’ gatherings were organized before April 2, the retaliatory tariffs from the Trump Administration are set to have an adverse effect on nations abroad, which may have increased the size and visibility of the protests outside of the US.
A protester at a “Hands Off!” demonstration against U.S. President Donald Trump and Elon Musk, at the Trafalgar Square, in London, Saturday, April 5, 2025. A protester at a “Hands Off!” demonstration against U.S. President Donald Trump and Elon Musk, at the Trafalgar Square, in London, Saturday, April 5, 2025. Kin Cheung/AP Photo
Why It Matters
A dominant talking point for the Trump administration is that President Donald Trump won the Electoral College and popular vote, and therefore has a mandate to implement his sweeping agenda. However, these protests showed that a significant number of Americans are not happy with the way he is running the government.
Disapproval of the Trump administration among some Americans – especially Elon Musk‘s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) – has resulted in angry town halls, and now protests, in Republican and Democratic districts across the country.
Which Countries Held ‘Hands Off’ Protests?
‘Hands Off’ demonstrations occurred in Austria (Vienna), France (Lyon, Nice, Paris), Germany (Berlin and Frankfurt), Mexico (Guadalajara), The Netherlands (Amsterdam), Portugal (Lisbon) and the UK (London).
What To Know
With the exception of the Guadalajara protest, demonstrations overseas were in European countries. Europe is being directly impacted by Trump’s policies on NATO and the war in Ukraine.
When Trump re-entered office he removed and then resumed military aid to Ukraine, resulting in European concerns around stability on the continent. Now, French and British leaders are in talks about deploying troops to Ukraine as part of a security “reassurance force.”
London protestor against Trump’s Ukraine policies at the “Hands Off!” demonstration in Trafalgar Square, London, Saturday, April 5, 2025. London protestor against Trump’s Ukraine policies at the “Hands Off!” demonstration in Trafalgar Square, London, Saturday, April 5, 2025. Kin Cheung/AP Photo
European countries have also borne the brunt of rising energy prices due to the war in Ukraine, and political and military insecurity could lead to more turbulent markets in the future.
Additionally, markets across the world are suffering following Trump’s “Liberation Day” tariffs. Many posters at marches in the US featured penguins, in a reference to Trump putting retaliatory tariffs on the Heard and McDonald islands.
Two of the protests against Trump and Musk occurred in Germany, with the one in Berlin being held by a Tesla dealership. Musk has been an instrumental force in German politics recently, putting money and advertising support behind the Far-Right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party. This has made him as polarizing a political figure in Germany as he is in the US.
Musk has also tried to get involved in British politics, by backing Nigel Farage‘s populist Reform UK party.
Some of the protest signs in London read: “WTAF America?”, “Stop hurting people,” “He’s an idiot,” and one had Trump’s head under an orange toilet scrub.
British protester Hugo Brooks, right, holds a toilet brush featuring a figure of U.S. President Donald Trump as he joins a “Hands Off!” demonstration in Trafalgar Square, London, Saturday, April 5, 2025. British protester Hugo Brooks, right, holds a toilet brush featuring a figure of U.S. President Donald Trump as he joins a “Hands Off!” demonstration in Trafalgar Square, London, Saturday, April 5, 2025. Kin Cheung/AP Photo
What People Are Saying
A spokesperson for ‘Hands Off’ told Newsweek: “Our communities are paying the price while the Trumps and Musks of the world cash in. This fight is just beginning, and we’re mobilizing to jumpstart the opposition. We can’t afford to wait any longer to fight back. Together, we have the power to stop the Trump-Musk billionaire takeover. We are not going to preview actions in the future nor discuss any plans at this time.”
Border czar Tom Homan told Fox News: “Protests and rallies, they don’t mean anything. “So go ahead and exercise your first amendment rights. It’s not going to change the facts of the case.”
What Happens Next
More ‘Hands Off’ rallies are being organized for next weekend. The ‘Hands Off’ Mobilize site shows demonstrations being planned in Arkansas, Texas, and Kentucky.
