Hundreds of thousands rally in ‘Hands Off’ protests as Trump and Musk face massive national backlash

Tens of thousands of Americans poured into the streets of cities and towns across the country on April 5, 2025, as part of the sweeping “Hands Off” protests aimed at President Donald Trump’s second-term policies and the controversial role of adviser Elon Musk. Organised by a broad coalition of civic organisations and progressive advocacy groups, including Indivisible and MoveOn.org, the protests gained traction nationally and internationally, reflecting growing public unease with the administration’s sweeping federal budget cuts, aggressive tariff implementations, and alleged disregard for democratic institutions.

Protesters braved inclement weather in many areas, driven by what organisers described as an urgent need to resist what they perceive as unconstitutional overreach and economic mismanagement. More than 1,200 rallies were held simultaneously, with the largest gatherings reported in major metropolitan centres such as Washington, D.C., New York City, Boston, and Los Angeles, as well as in smaller cities like Asheville, St. Paul, and Palm Beach Gardens.

What are protesters saying about Trump’s tariff policies and economic strategy?

At the heart of the unrest lies a deep dissatisfaction with President Trump’s sweeping tariff regime, which has placed duties on imports from nearly every major trading partner. Intended to protect American industries, these tariffs have instead triggered retaliatory trade actions, rattled global markets, and intensified inflationary pressures at home. On the day of the protests, the economic damage was already evident, with global markets estimated to have shed close to $5 trillion in value since the tariffs took effect.

Representative Jamie Raskin, a Democrat from Maryland and a vocal constitutional scholar, addressed a crowd of over 100,000 people gathered on the National Mall. He lambasted the administration’s economic approach, calling the tariffs not only “imbecilic” but also “illegal” and “unconstitutional.” According to Raskin, the policies have strained international alliances, alienated trade partners, and undermined the global reputation of the United States as a reliable economic actor. He invoked the U.S. Constitution in his remarks, urging demonstrators to continue fighting against authoritarianism disguised as populism.

Protesters such as Stan and Cindy Prusik, who attended the Washington, D.C. rally, voiced anxieties shared by many retirees and middle-class families. They expressed concern over the long-term impact of the administration’s policies on retirement savings, international relations, and economic stability. Cindy Prusik said she has “trouble sleeping” due to fears over the security of their life savings and the uncertain state of the world. Her husband Stan added that their motivation for protesting stemmed from a desire to protect the future of their daughters and grandchildren.

Why is Elon Musk a focus of protest alongside Donald Trump?

Much of the anger at the protests was also directed at Elon Musk, who serves in the administration as head of the Department of Government Efficiency — a newly created post tasked with overseeing cost-cutting across federal agencies. Musk’s controversial recommendations, including buyout offers and program consolidations, have led to widespread job insecurity in various departments, particularly those related to social services and housing.

Paul Osadebe, a union steward with AFGE Local 476 and a lawyer with the Department of Housing and Urban Development, addressed the Washington crowd about his experience under the new administrative structure. Osadebe shared that he had been offered a voluntary buyout as part of the department’s downsizing plans and accused the administration of failing to value the work and communities served by public servants. He warned that the aggressive pursuit of austerity was being carried out at the expense of the vulnerable, echoing a concern that the current leadership prioritises efficiency over empathy.

This view was reinforced by remarks from Florida Representative Maxwell Frost, who warned the public that things would worsen unless action was taken. Frost pointed to increasing inequality and the erosion of public institutions as evidence that the administration’s promises of streamlined governance and economic growth were proving hollow.

What were the key messages from other rallies nationwide?

While the National Mall protest served as the symbolic epicentre of the movement, similar energy and rhetoric were witnessed at rallies nationwide. In New York City, demonstrators filled 5th Avenue in a coordinated march, while in Boston, participants gathered for the “Hands Off Massachusetts!” protest, where organisers accused the federal administration of hoarding power and stripping away essential services.

The Boston organisers released a statement condemning what they described as a government acting “above the law,” accusing it of seizing control over Americans’ rights, healthcare, data, jobs, and public infrastructure. In St. Paul, Minnesota, a large crowd gathered on the grounds of the state capitol to decry the administration’s education policies, with particular focus on the closure of the Department of Education and its perceived impact on low-income students and rural school systems.

In Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, demonstrators took their message within miles of the Trump National Golf Club, where the President was reportedly present. Protesters held signs referencing democratic values and calling for accountability, but the event remained peaceful, as did others around the country. Law enforcement officials reported no major disturbances or arrests throughout the day.

How do the ‘Hands Off’ protests fit into a broader historical context of political resistance?

The “Hands Off” movement emerges from a longstanding tradition of civil protest in the United States, where citizens have taken to the streets to voice their dissent against policies they believe undermine the country’s democratic foundations. Comparisons have been made to previous mass mobilisations, including the Women’s March of 2017, the anti-war protests of the early 2000s, and the civil rights demonstrations of the 1960s. In each of these movements, public assembly was used as a tool to pressure the federal government and raise awareness around critical social issues.

Unlike single-issue protests, however, the “Hands Off” campaign serves as a multi-issue resistance, linking economic policy, federal governance, constitutional rights, and foreign relations under one unifying banner. The coordinated scale of Saturday’s actions suggests an organised attempt to maintain public attention on what protest leaders describe as the cumulative harm of second-term policy shifts under President Trump.

International solidarity added further weight to the campaign. Demonstrations occurred in major European cities, including London, Paris, and Berlin, where activists rallied outside American embassies in support of American protesters. These gatherings highlighted fears that the Trump administration’s inward-looking policies could have cascading effects on international diplomacy, climate cooperation, and human rights.

Where do the protests go from here?

While the White House did not immediately respond to the events, President Trump has previously defended his administration’s actions as necessary for national security and economic revitalisation. Elon Musk has also dismissed protester concerns, attributing the demonstrations to “interest groups backed by competing billionaires” and arguing that temporary discomfort is a price worth paying for systemic reform.

Despite these dismissals, the sheer scale and coordination of the “Hands Off” movement mark a turning point in domestic political resistance. Organisers indicated that Saturday’s events were only the beginning of an extended campaign of civil engagement, legal challenges, and electoral mobilisation ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. Legal experts and political analysts suggest that such widespread resistance, particularly if sustained, could shape both policy and public opinion in meaningful ways over the months ahead.

Ultimately, the “Hands Off” protests are not just a referendum on individual policies but a broader call for the preservation of democratic norms, institutional accountability, and economic fairness. As the administration doubles down on its second-term agenda, the scale and unity of the opposition suggest a political landscape primed for further confrontation—and potentially, significant change.