Tens of thousands of Americans flooded the streets of major cities on Saturday in the largest wave of protests since Donald Trump’s return to the White House, voicing strong opposition to what many described as the president’s divisive and authoritarian policies.
From Washington D.C. to New York, Los Angeles, Houston, Denver, and Florida, demonstrators rallied against sweeping government cuts, aggressive trade tariffs, and what they called the erosion of civil liberties under the Trump administration.
“I’m angry all the time,” said 43-year-old New York artist Shaina Kesner. “A bunch of privileged, white alleged rapists are controlling our country. It’s not great.”
In the nation’s capital, thousands converged on the National Mall, where speakers including lawmakers and activists condemned what they called a dangerous consolidation of power. Diane Kolifrath, a 64-year-old bike tour guide from New Hampshire, said she came to protest “an outrageous administration that is gutting our government and alienating allies around the world.”
Similar scenes played out in Los Angeles, where protesters donned costumes from the dystopian series The Handmaid’s Tale and held signs denouncing Trump’s anti-abortion policies. In Denver, one demonstrator held a placard that read “No King for USA,” capturing the growing sentiment against what many perceive as executive overreach.
The demonstrations spilled into Europe as well. In London, American expat Liz Chamberlin called Trump’s trade tactics “economic lunacy” and warned of a looming global recession. In Berlin, 70-year-old retiree Susanne Fest declared that Trump had triggered a “constitutional crisis,” describing him as “a lunatic.”
The protests were coordinated by a coalition of progressive groups, including MoveOn and Women’s March, under the banner “Hands Off.” Organizers said events were held in over 1,000 cities and every congressional district in the country.
“The people are out here to stop fascism,” said Boston protester Dominic Santella. “We’re stopping a leader from jailing opponents and targeting immigrants.”
Back in Washington, Representative Jamie Raskin, who served as an impeachment manager during Trump’s second impeachment trial, addressed the crowd. “No moral person wants an economy-crashing dictator who knows the price of everything and the value of nothing,” he declared.
Veteran activist Graylan Hagler, 71, added, “They’ve woken up a sleeping giant. We will not sit down, we will not be quiet, and we will not go away.”
White House Defiant Amid Tariff Fallout
Even as protests raged, the Trump administration stood firm on its economic policies. Kevin Hassett, Director of the National Economic Council, revealed that over 50 countries had reached out to negotiate in the wake of Trump’s newly announced tariffs.
“They understand they bear the brunt of the tariff,” Hassett said in an interview with ABC News. He dismissed claims that the president was attempting to stir market chaos to force a rate cut from the U.S. central bank. “He’s not trying to tank the market,” Hassett said. “He’s trying to deliver for American workers.”
Hassett also defended the decision to exempt Russia from the new tariffs, citing ongoing diplomatic negotiations regarding the war in Ukraine.
Peaceful but Powerful
Saturday’s protests remained largely peaceful, with a diverse turnout that included elderly citizens, youth, and families with children. Organizers in Washington estimated a crowd of 20,000, though actual numbers appeared far higher.
Despite the growing public backlash and a declining approval rating, President Trump appears unmoved.
“My policies will never change,” he said Friday, signaling continued defiance in the face of domestic and international criticism.
As chants of “Resist!” echoed through American cities and across the Atlantic, the message from protesters was clear: the fight against authoritarianism is far from over.
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