Hundreds of thousands rally across U.S. against Trump policies in ‘Hands Off’ protests

Massive demonstrations swept across the United States on Saturday, as hundreds of thousands of Americans took to the streets in over 1,000 cities to protest against the policies of President Donald Trump. 

The coordinated “Hands Off” rallies, led by progressive, environmental and labour groups, denounced what organisers described as an “authoritarian and economically elitist agenda.”

In Washington D.C., over 500,000 people gathered on the National Mall, waving signs in support of democracy and social justice, and condemning police violence, anti-LGBTQ+ legislation, and cuts to social safety nets. Similar protests erupted in state capitals and cities such as Salt Lake City, Florida, and Ventura, California.

Thousands of protesters have flooded the streets of Boston demonstrating in the anti-Trump "Hands Off!" rally. It's one of 1,200 other protests unfolding in all 50 states across the country. pic.twitter.com/jNs7KMwKvB

— ABC News Live (@ABCNewsLive) April 5, 2025

Prominent Democratic lawmakers, including Reps. Jamie Raskin, Ilhan Omar and Maxwell Frost, addressed the crowd in the capital. “We are here to protect democracy,” said Leah Greenberg of the grassroots group Indivisible. Diane Kolifrath of New Hampshire Forward added, “The goal is to wake the country up.”

In Hollywood, Florida — about an hour south of Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort — demonstrators chanted slogans like “Hey hey, ho ho, Trump and Musk have got to go,” criticising White House advisor Elon Musk and recent budget cuts. Protesters also mocked passing Tesla Cybertrucks, holding colourful signs opposing Trump’s return to power.

The White House issued a statement in response, saying President Trump remains committed to protecting Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid, and accused Democrats of undermining those programmes.

Trump made no public remarks about the protests and spent the day golfing in Florida. Despite a dip in approval ratings, recent Reuters and Harvard CAPS/Harris polls show he maintains a trust lead over President Joe Biden.