Over 1,200 protests erupt nationwide as citizens denounce President Trump’s sweeping tariff policy, job cuts, and DOGE reforms; demonstrators call for unity and fairness in global trade.
Washington DC [US], April 6: In a sweeping display of dissent, thousands of protesters gathered across all 50 US states—and in parts of Canada and Mexico—on Saturday to oppose President Donald Trump’s recent policy decisions, including massive tariffs and controversial reforms under the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), headed by Elon Musk.
Dubbed the “Hands Off!” movement, the nationwide mobilization brought together over 150 civil society organizations, ranging from civil rights groups and labor unions to LGBTQ+ collectives and veterans’ associations. According to organizers, more than 1,200 demonstrations were held, with massive turnouts seen in Washington DC and near Trump’s Florida residence.
Protesters rallied behind a unified message: resistance to what they termed the “most brazen power grab in modern history.” At the center of their frustration are the sweeping budget cuts, mass layoffs, and harsh tariffs announced by the Trump administration under the guise of efficiency and protectionism.
“This greed of ‘me first, my country first, my products first’ is unsustainable for the world and for humanity,” said one demonstrator, invoking Mahatma Gandhi’s legacy of civil disobedience.
Another protester, who previously lived in Kolkata, referenced Goddess Kali and the spirit of resistance.
“Elon Musk and Donald Trump are going to go down in history as criminals… This will not stand,” she said passionately.
Citizens across demographics voiced concern over the economic strain, calling out job losses, healthcare cutbacks, and rising costs of living.
“The extreme tariffs that Trump announced are a wake-up call. He is a destructive force,” said another protester. “These policies are not just hurting Americans—they’re hurting people in India and all over the developing world. We should be working together, not against each other.”
Several demonstrators urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to directly intervene, with one saying,
“I hope PM Modi will explain to Trump that these tariffs are bad for both nations and for global democracy.”
While protesters voiced their outrage in public squares, President Trump remained out of sight, spending the day at his Jupiter golf club before retreating to his Mar-a-Lago estate.
The backlash comes just days after Trump’s April 2 announcement of sweeping reciprocal tariffs on trading partners, part of his broader plan to reshape US trade policy. His administration insists the move is intended to level the playing field, but critics see it as an authoritarian overreach that risks destabilizing the global economy.
As chants of “Hands off our jobs!” and “Democracy, not dictatorship!” echoed across cities, the message from the streets was loud and clear: America is pushing back.