A movement to protest the early actions of President Donald Trump’s administration took off Wednesday, as thousands of demonstrators gathered outside a federal courthouse in Philadelphia and at state capitols in Michigan, Texas, Wisconsin and Indiana.
Protesters waved signs decrying 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.
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 “reject fascism” and “defend our democracy.”
Outside the state Capitol in Lansing, Michigan, a crowd of about 500 people gathered in freezing temperatures. They denounced everything from Trump’s plans for Gaza to the rollback of rights for transgender neighbors and recent efforts to deport people who are in the U.S. illegally.
Catie Miglietti, from the Ann Arbor area, said Musk’s access to the Treasury Department data was especially concerning to her. She painted a sign depicting Musk puppeteering Trump from his outraised arm — evoking 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,” she said.
Kelsey Brianne, a key organizer of the Michigan rally, learned about the protest movement Sunday night and has been coordinating speakers and safety protocols.
"I want to look back at this time and say that I did something and I didn’t just sit back,” Brianne said on the eve of the protests.
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’s agenda, protests have also begun.
On Sunday, thousands of people marched against Trump's plan for large-scale deportations in Southern California, including in downtown Los Angeles, where protests shut down a major freeway for hours.
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42 Comments
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I'veSeenFootage
Let's have a quick poll: is this the worst first weeks for a president in modern times, or in all of American history?
kurisupisu
There are some that want an ineffective leader and a wasteful society.
President Trump is changing that…
Underworld
I'veSeenFootage
Worst two starting weeks for a president in all of American history.
What a disaster.
FizzBit
Protesting is good. I just feel sad for these folks. I think they think we're some kind of Democratic Socialist European government that thrives on nannying.
Best first weeks of a President since WW II ended. Another quick poll, how many new posters since January 20th?
I'veSeenFootage
Yeah, it would be really horrible if the USA had the high standard of living and happiness that Denmark or Sweden have, right? Would be a national tragedy. Much better to stay in the bottom rungs for education, inequality, crime or healthcare. That's where the US "thrives"!
patkim
It seems so eerily similar to the rise of Hitler and how many of his people viewed his ascent. Even though other people suffered, Germans didn't care because they were brainwashed by a charismatic leader, or were just too afraid to protest against it.
bass4funk
Depends on who you’re asking, the people that want a sovereign nation, borders, rules and laws upheld, then it was a fantastic week, the ones that think sovereignty doesn’t need to be respected rules or laws, then it was a bad week.
patkim
Why isn't anyone questioning the fact that Musk, who is a nongovernment employee, who has not been voted in, or properly vetted allowed access to confidential information? Is he a volunteer? Is he an actual employee? Even so, he shouldn't be allowed anywhere near confidential records. I wouldn't want him to see my private and personal information at all.
bass4funk
Who would pay for that? How would we pay for that? You want the government to be in charge of a massive national healthcare system like that, they can’t even run the government efficiently, look how the Dems spend taxpayer money! No, sorry, it will never work.
And this is why we have Trump. You just answered your own question.
Underworld
bass4funk
Yeah, it would be really horrible if the USA had the high standard of living and happiness that Denmark or Sweden have, right?
Well, the Danes and Swedes seem to have figured it out.
Would be a national tragedy. Much better to stay in the bottom rungs for education, inequality, crime or healthcare. That's where the US "thrives"!
Got it. They have Trump so that they stay in the bottom rungs for education, inequality, crime or healthcare.
I'veSeenFootage
"My country is too stupid to work properly!" is what you just said. I sort of agree.
Yes, I'm sure schools in the US will "thrive" once Trump gets rid of the Department of Education. And the healthcare system will be the best in the world once he implements his "concepts of a plan". In the next two weeks, promised! And as for inequality, it will of course entirely "disappear" (because Musk will just erase all mentions of it from any federal statistics and sources of information). You can trust the numerous billionaires in charge, they will trickle down so much money to the masses! Like they always do! (
patkim
That is so worrisome. DOGE is not even a real department. Yet, they are allowed to have access to Americans' information such as social security numbers and such. I am really worried. Do American's really trust their personal information to someone like that? This DOGE is akin to the Gestapo. They can seemingly do whatever they want with no oversight.
bass4funk
8 million as opposed to 300 million, you can afford more with a much smaller nation and again, our government has not shown the slightest capability or responsibility that it can handle any massive program, so I would never support, not to mention I would never trust the government when it comes to my healthcare.
And that’s why he’s getting us out of this mess.
lincolnman
Good for them - keep trying to save democracy from the forces of MAGA fascism and evil...
theFu
You had a chance to vote against Trump and didn't. If you aren't allowed to vote, oh well. Might be worth getting US citizenship. Politicians don't need to pay attention to non-voters for a reason.
That very slight loss in November has completely upset the USGovt. If you didn't see it coming, that isn't the fault of all the people who specifically didn't vote for Trump. Complaining about it now is a little late.
When Trump tries to do something that isn't legal, find a group of impacted people and sue the govt to prevent it. Anything less is like breaking wind.
Ken
You don't fix 3 problems by making 20 new worse problems
bass4funk
Please tell the Dems this, this is breaking news!
Blacklabel
Trump is flooding the zone so well they don’t even know what they are upset about exactly.
Sign just says “resist” lol
just like this site, too many different things happening that they can’t all gather on one issue and focus on just that.
so the resistance to any one thing is super weak. Just one tiny ball of outrage for each thing that is forgotten in 24 hours when the next outrage comes.
I'veSeenFootage
"My president makes dozens of horrible decisions per day I love it!!!!"
Good for you, I guess.
No, I think they know exactly what they are upset about. Like most of us. Able to retain several information at once.
Ken
All the news happening in America recently look like good news to you? If so that's really F'd up
Blacklabel
You can’t and they don’t.
the disjointed response, even here on this site, proves it.
half of them (and half of you here) aren’t even protesting Trump and being distracted by Musk
dozens of GREAT policies that he was elected by the people to implement.
Underworld
bass4funk
Well, the Danes and Swedes seem to have figured it out.
That doesn't make any sense. You can afford the same. It costs more, but you have more tax revenue.
Yeah. That's why they should copy the Danes and the Swedes.
Got it. They have Trump so that they stay in the bottom rungs for education, inequality, crime or healthcare.
Can't see any evidence of that.
Blacklabel
In all the pictures I don’t see any 2 signs that are in opposition to the same policy. Lol
all the rest are generic signs with vague grievances or slogans that could have been made pre-election.
lincolnman
Indeed - thank goodness the Russia-Ukraine war is over and done in "24 hours" and that egg and gas prices have been slashed. And now we have the "world's biggest liberal lunatic" as HHS Secretary...
Giving them the shaft...
Whine, whine, whine...have some cheese - but you'll pay more for it with Trump's tariffs...
I'veSeenFootage
I can't?! That's strange, I've been commenting on several different news articles at the same time for days now. And seeing MAGA fans being incredibly butthurt in each of them.
Bob Fosse
Like ‘maga’? I think they should wear 2 metre tall red caps outlining specific policies.
Blacklabel
yet zero signs in the protest about any of those topics? Must not be as important as you think.
patkim
What will DOGE do with all of the records with our personal information, such as social security numbers, etc.? Did all of the workers in this organization go through the proper training that all federal employees go through when it comes to handling sensitive and confidential information? I've heard that they routinely have to go through training in this.
Blacklabel
because you only see the few posts where I am replying to one of you who are directly criticizing me. Like this one.
the majority of my posts ARE about the articles, then 1,2,3,4 of responses are”you” quote replying me and start criticizing. Like this one.
Blacklabel
as he personally attacks me. lol
While using the brand new account to avoid all that inconvenient pre-election post history of the old name.
I'veSeenFootage
Nothing good, that's for sure. Sell it to the highest bidder, maybe?
Of course not. The youngest one of Musk's team is 19 years old. Even Pete Hegseth is more qualified at his position then the DOGE team are at whatever they're doing. And Pete Hegseth is not qualified at all, so that's saying a lot.
Blacklabel
Speaking of butthurt….
I'veSeenFootage
Why should you be the only one having fun? lol indeed.
What a strange accusation to throw around. Sounds more like an admission, really.
Blacklabel
Who were you before 23 January? You speak like you know me.
bass4funk
For you, I get it, but not for me. :)
bass4funk
Most Americans don't want to pay more in taxes, and then there are 22 million Americans who don't pay taxes, and I have to cover that as well. Sorry, but no, and this is why that system will never work, not to mention our government would screw that up.
Well, I disagree and that will never happen, thank God!
And that’s why he’s getting us out of this mess.
You don't, but I do.
I'veSeenFootage
You sound paranoid, now. But I do "know" you. Because MAGA fans aren't really that unique. Once you've talked to one, you pretty much know them all.
iknowall
About the same number as those who have admitted to voting for Harris.