WASHINGTON, D.C. – Tens of thousands of protesters flooded streets in cities across the United States on Saturday in the largest nationwide demonstration against President Trump since he began his second term in January.
Dubbed the “Hands Off” protests, the coordinated rallies were held in over 1,200 locations, spanning all 50 states.
Demonstrators cited a wide range of grievances with the Trump administration’s agenda, including immigration enforcement, economic inequality, foreign policy, and cuts to federal programs.
Major crowds turned out in Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, and Washington DC, while solidarity protests also took place in London, Paris, and Berlin.
The protests come just days after Trump announced sweeping new import tariffs on most foreign countries—a move that has drawn sharp criticism from economists and U.S. allies alike.
In Boston, many demonstrators voiced outrage over recent immigration raids targeting international students.
Law student Katie Smith said she joined the rally after seeing video footage of Turkish student Rumeysa Ozturk being detained near Tufts University by masked agents.
“You can stand up today or you can be taken later,” she said. “I’m not usually a protest girlie.”
In London, protesters carried signs reading “WTAF America?”, “Stop hurting people,” and “He’s an idiot.”
Chants of “hands off Canada,” “hands off Greenland,” and “hands off Ukraine” echoed through the crowds—references to Trump’s controversial foreign policy stances.
Trump has repeatedly expressed interest in annexing Canada and Greenland and has clashed publicly with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
His administration has also faced criticism for its failure to broker a lasting peace between Ukraine and Russia.
In Washington DC, thousands gathered outside the Capitol to hear speeches by Democratic lawmakers, many of whom targeted the growing influence of billionaires in Trump’s administration.
Tech magnate Elon Musk, a close advisor to the president, was a particular focus of criticism for his role in spearheading federal budget cuts and reducing the civil service.
Florida Congressman Maxwell Frost lambasted what he called a “billionaire takeover of our government.”
“When you steal from the people, expect the people to rise up—at the ballot box and in the streets,” he told the crowd.
The protests follow a difficult week for the president and his allies. Republicans narrowly held on to a Florida congressional seat in a special election, but with reduced margins.
Meanwhile, in Wisconsin, voters decisively elected a Democratic judge to the state’s supreme court, rejecting a Musk-endorsed Republican challenger.
Both campaigns were fueled by voter backlash over Trump’s domestic agenda and Musk’s growing influence.
Recent polls reflect the political turbulence. A Reuters/Ipsos survey found Trump’s approval rating had dipped to 43%—its lowest point since his second inauguration.
Only 37% of Americans approve of his handling of the economy, and just 30% back his approach to the cost of living.
A separate Harvard CAPS/Harris poll put his overall approval at 49%, down from 52% last month.
In DC, a protester named Theresa told the BBC she joined the demonstration out of concern for democratic norms and shrinking social benefits.
“I’m very concerned about the cuts they’re making to the federal government,” she said. “Retirement and education benefits are on the chopping block.”
Asked if she thought her message would reach the president, she replied: “Well, let’s see. [Trump has] been golfing just about every day.”
Trump spent Saturday golfing at one of his Florida resorts and had no public events scheduled. He was expected to return to the golf course on Sunday.
In response to the protests, the White House defended Trump’s record in a statement, accusing Democrats of threatening core social programs.
“President Trump’s position is clear: he will always protect Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid for eligible beneficiaries,” the statement said. “Meanwhile, the Democrats’ stance is giving Social Security, Medicaid, and Medicare benefits to illegal aliens, which will bankrupt these programs and crush American seniors.”
Tom Homan, a top Trump immigration advisor, told Fox News that protesters had demonstrated outside his New York residence—though he was in Washington at the time.
“They can protest a vacant house all they want,” Homan said. “Protests and rallies, they don’t mean anything. Go ahead and exercise your First Amendment rights. It’s not going to change the facts of the case.”
