Knoxville, Tenn. – April 5, 2025 — More than 1,200 “Hands Off!” demonstrations took place in cities across the United States on Saturday, with thousands rallying against President Donald Trump’s administration and the influence of billionaire Elon Musk. Organized by over 150 groups, including civil rights organizations, labor unions, LGBTQ+ advocates, veterans, and election activists, the protests were a response to a range of policies affecting federal workers, social safety nets, and marginalized communities.
One of the largest gatherings took place in downtown Knoxville, where protesters voiced their opposition to the Trump administration’s ongoing efforts to downsize the federal government. Demonstrators decried actions to reduce federal agencies, cut funding for health programs, and fire thousands of federal employees. They also raised alarms over the administration’s proposals to close Social Security Administration field offices, deport immigrants, and rollback protections for transgender individuals.
“We all came out to say the same thing: hands off our Social Security, hands off our veterans, hands off our immigrant neighbors, and hands off education,” said one protester. “We’re greatly affected by what’s happening to our public parks. There have already been 30 people fired in our area. Americans don’t want to see this happen, and that’s why we’re here today.”
The protests were also fueled by frustration over Elon Musk’s increasing influence in government. Musk, the CEO of Tesla, SpaceX, and the social media platform X, has taken on a pivotal role as head of the newly created Department of Government Efficiency. While Musk claims his initiatives are saving taxpayers billions of dollars by eliminating inefficiencies, critics argue that these cuts come at the expense of critical services, especially for vulnerable populations.
“The moves being made to downsize the government are hurting people who depend on these programs to survive,” said another demonstrator. “We need these services now more than ever. Cutting them isn’t the answer.”
Musk’s position as an adviser to Trump has further deepened partisan divides, with opponents arguing that his wealth and influence are being used to push a corporate–driven agenda. The Department of Government Efficiency, which Musk heads, has been tasked with reducing government spending, but many activists see it as a thinly veiled attempt to dismantle the social safety net.
In response to the protests, the White House issued a statement reaffirming President Trump’s commitment to protecting Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid for eligible beneficiaries. The statement criticized Democrats for supporting policies that would allegedly give taxpayer–funded benefits to “illegal aliens,” framing the debate as one of fiscal responsibility and national security.
“President Trump’s position is clear,” the White House said. “He will always protect Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid for eligible beneficiaries. Meanwhile, the Democrats’ stance is giving these benefits to illegal aliens, which will bankrupt these programs and crush American seniors.”
Saturday’s demonstrations were part of a growing wave of resistance to Trump and Musk’s policies. Activists have staged multiple protests in the years since Trump returned to office, with the latest rallies reflecting deepening concerns over the future of the U.S. social safety net, immigrant rights, and government accountability.
As the debate over the nation’s priorities continues to escalate
