On April 5, 2025, a series of protests took place across the country in critique of the Trump Administration. Protesters are voicing their opinions of opposition for the policies the Trump Administration has implemented.
The movements consisted of a variety of people in progressive, labor union, pro-democracy, civil rights, LGBTQ+ and women’s rights groups. The movement started from various decisions made to fire federal workers, cut budgets on the education department, immigration raids and other choices set from the administration, which have had a negative impact on the middle and lower classes throughout the nation. Over 1,400 “Hands Off” protests have been held at state capitals, federal buildings, congressional offices, Social Security Headquarters and city halls throughout the entire country.
“I would say Trump’s policies target different groups of people with different needs, so it just depends on what social class you are from and how that will affect you,” a student expressed anonymously.
The newly imposed global tariffs have hurt every class, especially Americans in the lower and middle class. These tariffs have increased the recession that this country has already experienced under the Biden Administration, leading to significant cuts to government agencies and the federal workforce, which has been controlled by Elon Musk, Senior Advisor to President Trump.
The administration has been perceived as having more of a concern/interest for the wealthy people of this country rather than the other classes of people, which is why the people a part of this movement feel that these demonstrations are the only way to protect the economy and well-being of the people.
“Trump has to reduce the tariffs because it is crashing the market and basic appliances and resources are skyrocketing in prices,” a student expressed anonymously.
During the protests, representatives across different states took advantage of the opportunity to voice their opinions as well. Democratic Representative Jamie Raskin of Maryland and Representative Maxwell Frost of Florida in particular were vocal about how the administration is negatively impacting the foundations of this country.
“Our founders wrote a Constitution that does not begin with ‘We the dictators,’ the preamble says ‘We the people.’ No moral person wants an economy-crashing dictator who knows the price of everything and the value of nothing,” Jamie Raskin said.
