Thousands protest against Trump administration policies in cities across US
The protests were a result of a movement that was organised online under the hashtags #buildtheresistance and #50501.
Thousands of demonstrators gathered in cities across the US to protest against the Trump administration’s early actions, decrying everything from the president’s immigration crackdown to his rollback of transgender rights and a proposal to forcibly transfer Palestinians from the Gaza Strip.
Protesters in Philadelphia and at state capitols in Minnesota, Michigan, Texas, Wisconsin, Indiana and beyond on Wednesday waved signs denouncing President Donald Trump; billionaire Elon Musk, the leader of Trump’s new Department of Government Efficiency; and Project 2025, a hard-right playbook for American government and society.
“Democracy is not a spectator sport! Do something,” said a sign held aloft by one demonstrator in Philadelphia.
Websites and accounts across social media issued calls for action, with messages such as “reject fascism” and “defend our democracy”.
Outside the state Capitol in Lansing, Michigan, a crowd of about 1,000 people gathered in freezing temperatures.
Catie Miglietti, from the Ann Arbor area, said Mr Musk’s access to the Treasury Department data was especially concerning to her.
She painted a sign depicting Mr Musk puppeteering Mr Trump from his outraised arm — evoking Mr Musk’s straight-arm gesture during a January speech that some have interpreted as a Nazi salute.
“If we don’t stop it and get Congress to do something, it’s an attack on democracy,” Ms Miglietti said.
In Columbus, Ohio, protesters outside the Statehouse shouted: “Wake up USA! Stop the coup that’s underway!”
“I’m appalled by democracy’s changes in the last, well, specifically two weeks — but it started a long time ago,” said Margaret Wilmeth, a self-described senior citizen from Columbus.
Craig and Robin Schroeder drove nearly two hours from their home in Findlay for the demonstration.
They described the appointment of Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth as a slap to Ohio’s military families.
The Senate narrowly confirmed Mr Hegseth after questions from members in both parties over his qualifications to lead the military, especially amid allegations of heavy alcohol use and aggressive behaviour toward women.
“This is my first protest ever, but I can’t imagine a more worthwhile one,” said Robin Schroeder, 47.
Demonstrations in several cities piled criticism on Mr Musk and the Department of Government Efficiency.
“DOGE is not legit,” read one poster on the state Capitol steps in Jefferson, Missouri, where dozens of protesters gathered.
“Why does Elon have your Social Security info???”
A Treasury Department official says a tech executive working with DOGE will have “read-only access”.
The Missouri protesters chanted “we will not bend down” and “we will not be silenced”.
Mr Trump has signed a series of executive orders in the first couple of weeks of his new term on everything from trade and immigration to climate change.
As Democrats begin to raise their voice in opposition to Mr Trump’s agenda, protests have also begun.
In Alabama, several hundred people gathered outside the Statehouse to protest against actions targeting LGBTQ people.
On Tuesday, Alabama governor Kay Ivey promised to sign legislation declaring that there are only two sexes, male and female — echoing Mr Trump’s recent executive order for the federal government to define sex as only male or female.
“The President thinks he has a lot of power,” the Reverent Julie Conrady, a Unitarian Universalist minister told the crowd.
“He does not have the power to determine your gender.
“He does not have the power to define your identity.”
