\n
![](\"https:\/\/kubrick.htvapps.com\/htv-prod-media.s3.amazonaws.com\/images\/ap267a3c744ab9fa.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
\n<\/p>\n
\n\t\t\t\t\t\tThousands of demonstrators gathered in cities across the U.S. on Wednesday to protest 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 waved signs denouncing President Donald Trump; billionaire Elon Musk, the leader of Trump\u2019s new Department of Government Efficiency; and Project 2025, a hard-right playbook for American government and society.\u201cDemocracy is not a spectator sport! Do something,\u201d said a sign held aloft by one demonstrator in Philadelphia.The protests were a result of a movement that has organized online under the hashtags #buildtheresistance and #50501, which stands for 50 protests, 50 states, one day. Websites and accounts across social media issued calls for action, with messages such as \u201creject fascism\u201d and \u201cdefend our democracy.\u201dOutside 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 Musk\u2019s access to the Treasury Department data was especially concerning to her. She painted a sign depicting Musk puppeteering Trump from his outraised arm \u2014 evoking Musk\u2019s straight-arm gesture during a January speech that some have interpreted as a Nazi salute.\u201cIf we don\u2019t stop it and get Congress to do something, it\u2019s an attack on democracy,\u201d Miglietti said.In Columbus, Ohio, protesters outside the Statehouse shouted, \u201cWake up USA! Stop the coup that’s underway!\u201d\u201cI\u2019m appalled by democracy\u2019s changes in the last, well, specifically two weeks \u2014 but it started a long time ago,\u201d said Margaret Wilmeth, a self-described senior citizen from Columbus. \u201cSo I\u2019m just trying to put a presence into resistance.”Craig and Robin Schroeder drove nearly two hours from their home in Findlay for the demonstration. They described the appointment of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth as a slap to Ohio’s military families. The Senate narrowly confirmed Hegseth after questions from members in both parties over his qualifications to lead the military, especially amid allegations of heavy alcohol use and aggressive behavior toward women.\u201cThis is my first protest ever, but I can\u2019t imagine a more worthwhile one,” said Robin Schroeder, 47.Demonstrations in several cities piled criticism on Musk and the Department of Government Efficiency.\u201cDOGE is not legit,\u201d read one poster on the state Capitol steps in Jefferson, Missouri, where dozens of protesters gathered. \u201cWhy does Elon have your Social Security info???\u201dMembers of Congress have expressed concern that DOGE\u2019s involvement with the U.S. government payment system could lead to security risks or missed payments for programs such as Social Security and Medicare. A Treasury Department official says a tech executive working with DOGE will have \u201cread-only access.\u201dThe Missouri protesters chanted \u201cwe will not bend down\u201d and \u201cwe will not be silenced.\u201dTrump 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 Trump\u2019s agenda, protests have also begun.In Alabama, several hundred people gathered outside the Statehouse to protest state and federal actions targeting LGBTQ people.On Tuesday, Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey promised to sign legislation declaring that there are only two sexes, male and female \u2014 echoing Trump’s recent executive order for the federal government to define sex as only male or female.\u201cThe President thinks he has a lot of power,” said Patricia Todd, who was the state\u2019s first openly gay lawmaker. \u201cHe does not have the power to determine your gender. He does not have the power to define your identity.\u201d\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n
Thousands of demonstrators gathered in cities across the U.S. on Wednesday to protest 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.<\/p>\n
Protesters in Philadelphia and at state capitols in Minnesota, Michigan, Texas, Wisconsin, Indiana and beyond waved signs denouncing President Donald Trump; billionaire Elon Musk, the leader of Trump\u2019s new Department of Government Efficiency; and Project 2025, a hard-right playbook for American government and society.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cDemocracy is not a spectator sport! Do something,\u201d said a sign held aloft by one demonstrator in Philadelphia.<\/p>\n
The protests were a result of a movement that has organized online under the hashtags #buildtheresistance and #50501, which stands for 50 protests, 50 states, one day. Websites and accounts across social media issued calls for action, with messages such as \u201creject fascism\u201d and \u201cdefend our democracy.\u201d<\/p>\n
Outside the state Capitol in Lansing, Michigan, a crowd of about 1,000 people gathered in freezing temperatures.<\/p>\n
Catie Miglietti, from the Ann Arbor area, said Musk\u2019s access to the Treasury Department data was especially concerning to her. She painted a sign depicting Musk puppeteering Trump from his outraised arm \u2014 evoking Musk\u2019s straight-arm gesture during a January speech that some have interpreted as a Nazi salute.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf we don\u2019t stop it and get Congress to do something, it\u2019s an attack on democracy,\u201d Miglietti said.<\/p>\n
In Columbus, Ohio, protesters outside the Statehouse shouted, \u201cWake up USA! Stop the coup that’s underway!\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m appalled by democracy\u2019s changes in the last, well, specifically two weeks \u2014 but it started a long time ago,\u201d said Margaret Wilmeth, a self-described senior citizen from Columbus. \u201cSo I\u2019m just trying to put a presence into resistance.”<\/p>\n
Craig and Robin Schroeder drove nearly two hours from their home in Findlay for the demonstration. They described the appointment of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth as a slap to Ohio’s military families. The Senate narrowly confirmed Hegseth after questions from members in both parties over his qualifications to lead the military, especially amid allegations of heavy alcohol use and aggressive behavior toward women.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is my first protest ever, but I can\u2019t imagine a more worthwhile one,” said Robin Schroeder, 47.<\/p>\n
Demonstrations in several cities piled criticism on Musk and the Department of Government Efficiency.<\/p>\n
\u201cDOGE is not legit,\u201d read one poster on the state Capitol steps in Jefferson, Missouri, where dozens of protesters gathered. \u201cWhy does Elon have your Social Security info???\u201d<\/p>\n
Members of Congress have expressed concern that DOGE\u2019s involvement with the U.S. government payment system could lead to security risks or missed payments for programs such as Social Security and Medicare. A Treasury Department official says a tech executive working with DOGE will have \u201cread-only access.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Missouri protesters chanted \u201cwe will not bend down\u201d and \u201cwe will not be silenced.\u201d<\/p>\n
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 Trump\u2019s agenda, protests have also begun.<\/p>\n
In Alabama, several hundred people gathered outside the Statehouse to protest state and federal actions targeting LGBTQ people.<\/p>\n
On Tuesday, Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey promised to sign legislation declaring that there are only two sexes, male and female \u2014 echoing Trump’s recent executive order for the federal government to define sex as only male or female.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe President thinks he has a lot of power,” said Patricia Todd, who was the state\u2019s first openly gay lawmaker. \u201cHe does not have the power to determine your gender. He does not have the power to define your identity.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n