On Saturday, thousands of protesters gathered across the United States in what became the largest single day of protest against President Trump and his policies.
Organised under the “Hands Off” banner, rallies took place in over 1,200 locations, including major cities such as Washington D.C., New York, and Los Angeles.
The demonstrations were a response to what protesters view as harmful policies, from immigration and tariffs to government overhauls.
The protests drew attention to the growing frustration with Trump’s administration, with many participants voicing concerns over the administration’s efforts to overhaul the federal government and expand presidential power.
This nationwide rally also saw solidarity from abroad, with protests taking place in cities such as London, Paris, and Berlin.
A Wide Range of Grievances Spark Nationwide Protests
One of the key reasons behind the protests was the administration’s stance on immigration. In Washington, D.C., demonstrators gathered under the Washington Monument, with over 20,000 expected to attend.
According to Reuters, people voiced their concerns about Trump’s policies, particularly recent immigration raids and his plans to cut vital services.
Protester Terry Klein, a retired biomedical scientist from Princeton, New Jersey, voiced her concerns, saying, “Our whole country is under attack, all of our institutions, all the things that make America what it is.”
Among the various issues raised, economic policies featured prominently. Protesters criticised Trump’s widespread use of tariffs, which they argue have negatively impacted American workers, particularly farmers.
Retired money manager Wayne Hoffman, 73, from New Jersey, shared his worries about the economic impact, noting that tariffs are “going to cost the farmers in the red states… People have lost tens of thousands of dollars.”
This sentiment was echoed by others, who expressed concern that Trump‘s economic policies could erode their financial security.
Protesters raised concerns over recent immigration raids, including the case of Turkish student Rumeysa Ozturk, whose arrest near Boston sparked outrage.
Katie Smith, a law student in Boston, told BBC News, “You can stand up today, or you can be taken later,” referring to increasing fears of immigrant deportations.
International Opposition and Growing Public Dissent
As the protests unfolded across the U.S., demonstrations were also taking place in Europe, with anti-Trump Americans in cities like Berlin, Paris, and London voicing their opposition to the administration’s foreign and domestic policies.
The international presence highlighted global discontent, particularly with Trump’s foreign policy decisions, such as his controversial interest in annexing Greenland.
Back in the U.S., protests continued to build throughout the day. Some participants carried Ukrainian flags and Palestinian signs, while Democratic lawmakers took to the stage to criticise Trump’s policies.
As reported by Reuters, much of the anger was directed at the administration’s cuts to federal services, particularly those affecting social security and healthcare.
Protesters gathered outside the Social Security Administration in Baltimore to express their concerns about the potential loss of benefits. One protester, Linda Falcao, 65, stated, “I’m terrified, I’m angry, I’m pissed, I’m bewildered this could happen to the United States.”
The protests reflect a wider sense of dissatisfaction with Trump’s administration, as his approval ratings have recently dropped, according to a Reuters/Ipsos poll.
Despite these concerns, Trump continues to defend his policies, with White House assistant press secretary Liz Huston emphasising that Trump will “always protect Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid for eligible beneficiaries.”
