Protesters took to the streets in major cities nationwide on Wednesday to demonstrate against President Donald Trump’s forceful approach on issues such as the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), immigration, tariffs, gender, labor, and more.
Since assuming office on Jan. 20, Trump has been aggressively pushing forward with policies that prioritize America’s interests above all else. This includes actions like deporting criminal undocumented immigrants and providing federal employees with the choice to either return to work or seek employment elsewhere.
But with what critics say is a harsh approach to leading the country, Trump has ruffled a few feathers, causing people to protest around the country.
The Associated Press disclosed that these demonstrations were part of a movement that had been mobilized online under the hashtags #buildtheresistance and #50501, representing 50 protests in 50 states on one single day. Various websites and social media accounts urged followers to take a stand with messages like “oppose fascism” and “protect our democracy.”
State Police tell Jana Turner to remove the broomstick she was using to hold her poster during a 50501 Movement protest against Trump at the Texas State Capitol in Austin, Texas, February 5, 2025. (REUTERS/Kaylee Greenlee Beal)
While protesters had their voices heard on similar topics at the U.S. Capitol Building in Washington, D.C., another group protested at the U.S. Department of Labor.
Those at the Department of Labor were heard chanting, “Workers United, We’ll Never Be Divided,” in protest of the Trump administration’s push to get federal workers back in the office.
Last week, the Trump administration gave nearly 2 million federal employees the option of taking a buyout and getting paid through Sept. 30, but the deadline to take the deal expires on Feb. 6.
Multiple labor unions have filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration regarding the buyouts, mainly on the basis that the funds to continue to pay the employees should they take the offer have not been appropriated by Congress for that purpose.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
