WASHINGTON: Over 20,000 people gathered on Saturday in downtown Washington to protest President Donald Trump and his billionaire ally Elon Musk’s attempts to reshape the U.S. government and expand presidential powers.
The demonstration took place at the National Mall. It marked the beginning of what organizers called the largest single-day protest against Trump’s sweeping executive orders. More than 1,200 protests were planned across all 50 states, with additional rallies in Canada and Mexico.
Around 150 activist groups joined the movement, according to the event’s website. Protesters held signs that read “No Kings in the USA” and “Deport Musk” while buses continued to arrive under cloudy skies and light rain.
Terry Klein, a retired scientist from Princeton, New Jersey, stood near the Washington Monument. She said she drove to the capital to oppose Trump’s actions on immigration, education, tariffs, and what she called the “DOGE nonsense.”
“Our whole country is under attack,” Klein said. “All the institutions that make America what it is are being dismantled.”
David Madden, a 75-year-old veteran from Dayton, Ohio, echoed similar concerns.
“Injustice is rising. Courts are in chaos. People are divided,” he said. “This isn’t the America I fought for.”
At the heart of the protest lies the controversial Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), led by Musk. With Trump’s approval, DOGE has cut more than 200,000 federal jobs. The IRS alone laid off over 20,000 employees on Friday — nearly 25% of its workforce.
One major target: Social Security.
Hundreds protested outside the Social Security Administration’s Baltimore headquarters. The agency recently announced it would lay off 7,000 staff and shut down phone lines used by millions of older people and disabled Americans.
Protesters — mostly retirees — carried emotional signs: “Where Has My Country Gone?”, “Fire DOGE!”, “Hands off Social Security!”
Linda Falcao, who turns 65 soon, shared her frustration with the crowd.
“I’ve paid into this system since I was 16,” she said. “I want my money. I need my benefits. I’m terrified this could happen here.”
In unison, the crowd shouted, “It’s our money!”
The White House denied the cuts were aimed at older people.
“President Trump is committed to protecting Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid for all eligible Americans,” said Press Secretary Liz Huston in an email. “It’s the Democrats who want to give these benefits to illegal immigrants.”
Since returning to office on January 20, Trump has issued a wave of executive orders. Critics argue many of these are modeled after Project 2025, a conservative plan designed to consolidate presidential power and dismantle liberal institutions.
Supporters, however, praised Trump for challenging the status quo.
Meanwhile, solidarity protests took place across Europe. In Paris, Frankfurt, Berlin, and London, Americans abroad raised their voices.
“We are here to support the resistance back home,” said Timothy Kautz, a Democrat Abroad leader in Frankfurt.
From Washington to Europe, the message was loud and clear: resistance is growing.
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