'Hands Off' protests erupt across the U.S. against Trump’s agenda and Musk-led cuts

Protests erupted across several European cities on Saturday as people gathered to voice their opposition to U.S. President Donald Trump and his adviser, Elon Musk. The demonstrations come after a challenging week for global markets, following the announcement of sweeping tariffs by the Trump administration.

The protests, which took place in major cities such as Frankfurt, Berlin, and Paris, were organized by various groups including Democrats Abroad, and involved demonstrators from both the U.S. and other countries. With a focus on global issues and the impact of U.S. policies, the crowds voiced their frustrations with both Trump’s leadership and Musk's role in the administration.

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'Hands Off' protest echoed outside the U.S. against Trump's agenda

Hundreds of individuals took to the streets in European cities on Saturday to voice their opposition to U.S. President Donald Trump and his adviser, Elon Musk, following a tumultuous week for financial markets after Trump introduced extensive global tariffs.

In Frankfurt, Germany, the "Hands Off!" demonstration was organized by Democrats Abroad, an official group representing U.S. citizens living overseas. In Berlin, protesters gathered outside a Tesla showroom, urging other Americans in Germany to join the cause and call for "an end to the chaos" caused by Trump’s policies.

In Frankfurt’s Opernplatz, members of the overseas Democrats group demanded the resignation of President Trump, holding signs with messages like "Restore Democracy," "Hands off our personal data," and "The world is tired of your nonsense, Donald, be gone!" In Berlin, protesters directed their frustration at Musk with slogans such as "Shut up Elon, no one voted for you." A dog was also seen wearing a sign that read "Dogs against DOGE," referencing the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) led by Musk, a project aimed at cutting federal waste, fraud, and abuse under Trump’s administration.

Meanwhile, in Paris, around 200 people, mostly Americans, gathered at Place de la République to protest Trump’s actions. Some took to the stage to denounce the president, with signs reading "Resist Tyrant," "Rule of Law," "Feminists for Freedom not Fascism," and "Save Democracy." One protester even performed Bob Dylan’s "Masters of War."

Protests against Trump and Musk were also held in other European cities such as London and Lisbon. In London, a crowd of a few hundred gathered in Trafalgar Square, holding signs like "Proud American Ashamed" and "WTAF America?" Protesters chanted slogans such as "Hands off Canada," "Hands off Greenland," and "Hands off Ukraine," while listening to speeches criticizing Trump.

Thousands of Americans took the streets on 'Hands Off' protest

Thousands of demonstrators across the United States gathered on Saturday for a series of "Hands Off" protests, organized by Democratic activists opposing President Trump’s immigration policies and the widespread layoffs of federal employees orchestrated by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), led by tech mogul Elon Musk.

In a statement issued prior to the event, organizers accused Trump and Musk of treating the country as if it were their own personal domain. "They're taking everything—our healthcare, jobs, data, and services—while daring anyone to stop them. This is a crisis, and we must act now," the statement read.

Protests took place in major cities such as Washington, Boston, Los Angeles, and Philadelphia, with demonstrators holding signs bearing slogans like "Fight Oligarchy," "Unity over Division," and "Hands Off Our Jobs." International cities like Paris, Berlin, and Lisbon also hosted similar rallies.

During the Washington, D.C. protest, several Democratic congress members, along with American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) President Everett B. Kelley, took to the stage to address the crowd. "We will not be silenced. We will not bow down. We’ll stand up and say, hands off our union. We’ll stand up and say, hands off our democracy," Kelley declared.

The White House had no immediate comment on the protests. Responding to accusations that "Democrat billionaires" were funding the protests, Musk tweeted, "They will be held accountable."