Trump opponents use Presidents Day to protest his policies across the country

Opponents of President Trump are using the Presidents Day holiday to protest his policies, with demonstrations taking place in cities across the country. 

Protesters rallied on Feb. 17 to declare it "No Kings Day," pushing back against Trump’s barrage of executive actions and his elevation of tech billionaire Elon Musk to lead efforts in slashing the size of the federal government.

“We stand firm at a critical moment in history, demanding that the American people be heard and that the White House be governed by the true will of the people — not by a tech billionaire who seeks to buy influence and control,” reads a joint release from organizers behind dozens of events scheduled nationwide under the 50501 Movement, including Political Revolution and No Voice Unheard.  

Thousands of protesters rallied near the U.S. Capitol in Washington, according to USA Today. While lawmakers were out of session for the federal holiday, some demonstrators displayed a sign in front of the Capitol that read “no one elected Elon Musk.”

Others gathered in cities from coast to coast: Nearly 1,000 people marched in Boston, The Associated Press reported, and hundreds gathered around state capitals in Texas and California, per local outlets.

“America has no king. Trump and his wealthy cronies are undermining the Constitution and rule of law to tear apart our democratic institutions and communities,” reads a guide from Build the Resistance, another organizer.

The progressive group Indivisible also supported the 50501 Movement’s Presidents Day protests as part of its “Musk or Us” push against the Tesla CEO’s involvement in Washington, which is set to include protests outside of lawmaker offices and Tesla dealerships this week.

Musk has taken the helm at Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), a commission aimed at cracking down on government spending. Designated as a special government employee, his expanding role, access and proximity to Trump has prompted questions about conflicts of interests and attempts to check his power.

As DOGE digs into federal agencies, thousands of federal workers have been fired in recent days after the Office of Personnel Management moved to purge probationary employees, and still more have been offered what amounts to a buyout as part of a “Fork in the Road” initiative.

DOGE’s moves, which also include gutting the U.S. Agency for International Development workforce, have sparked worries about how the federal government will weather the sudden changes, as well as concerns about data privacy and security. 

The Presidents Day protests are the second large-scale demonstration push led by the 50501 Movement, after organizers reported mobilizing roughly 20,000 people in more than 80 protests in all 50 states on Feb. 5.

The 50501 Movement's organizers expressed “growing alarm” that constitutional rights are being "trampled on" under the new administration and Trump's rush of executive orders, several of which have been halted by federal judges.

"We see elected officials shrinking from their responsibility to speak out, paralyzed by fear of
losing their political opportunities. But amidst this, we are witnessing an unprecedented wave of
unity. People from every background and every corner of this nation are coming together to
demand accountability and to push back against the erosion of our rights," a release from the group read.

Lauren Irwin contributed.