On April 5, 2025, a wave of protests swept across the United States as opponents of President Donald Trump organized approximately 1,200 demonstrations under the banner "Hands Off!" These protests, spanning all 50 states and extending to countries including Canada, Britain, France, Germany, Mexico, and Portugal, represent the most significant collective action against the Trump administration since its return to office in January.
The "Hands Off!" movement emerged in reaction to the administration's rapid implementation of conservative policies through executive orders, which critics argue aim to reshape U.S. foreign and domestic landscapes. Ezra Levin, co-founder of Indivisible, a key organizing group, emphasized the movement's intent: "This is an enormous demonstration that is sending a very clear message to Musk and Trump and congressional Republicans and all the goose-stepping allies of MAGA that we don't want their hands on our democracy, on ... ."
The White House has yet to respond to these nationwide demonstrations. The protests have garnered support from approximately 150 activist groups, including the Service Employees International Union, Human Rights Campaign, and Greenpeace. These organizations represent a broad spectrum of interests, from labor rights and LGBTQ advocacy to environmental concerns.
A significant rally took place on Washington's National Mall, drawing thousands of participants. Pro-Palestinian groups also joined the demonstrations, voicing opposition to U.S. support for Israel's renewed military actions in Gaza and the administration's crackdown on campus protests.
Since resuming office, President Trump has enacted a series of executive orders aligned with Project 2025, a conservative initiative aimed at consolidating presidential authority. While supporters praise these actions as necessary disruptions of entrenched liberal interests, opponents view them as overextensions of executive power. Legal challenges have arisen, contesting measures related to civil servant dismissals, immigration policies, and transgender rights reversals.
The "Hands Off!" protests mark a pivotal moment in the current political climate, reflecting deep-seated divisions and the mobilization of diverse groups united in opposition to the administration's agenda. As these events unfold, the nation watches closely, anticipating potential shifts in policy and governance in response to this widespread public dissent.