AUSTIN, Texas — Opponents of President Donald Trump and billionaire businessman Elon Musk gathered at the Texas State Capitol on Saturday as part of a nationwide day of protest against policies made by the Trump administration.
“Hands Off!” protests took place in more than 1,200 cities nationwide, from Boston to Los Angeles.
The demonstrators denounced the president’s actions on government downsizing, the economy and human rights.
“President Trump is not serving the people. We are the people. We count. We matter. All of us. Not just some of us. All of us,” Judy Kegg said. “Democracy matters. Our jobs matter. Our livelihoods matter. Our friends and our family matter.”
The Capitol grounds were filled with demonstrators holding signs that called out the president, and condemned his appointment of billionaire Elon Musk to lead the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
“If you don’t come out and you sit on the couch, you’re not going to get anything done,” Sammy Loehr said. “Right now, they’re taking away our democracy. That’s why I’m speaking up.”
President Trump has insisted it is necessary to bring jobs and manufacturing back to America, reduce the size of government and make a deal between Russia and Ukraine.
Since taking office, President Trump has enacted sweeping immigration enforcement, rolled back on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives and instituted mass lay offs of federal employees. The White House has called the DEI agencies “incompetent” and “corrupt.”
“I feel like everyone’s rights are being taken away,” Loehr said. “Not only my rights, not only veteran’s rights, everybody’s rights are being taken away.”
The crowd covered much of the area around the Capitol’s south steps. At one point, law enforcement estimated the crowd size to be at least 7,000.
It was one of the largest anti-Trump events that has happened in Central Texas since President Trump returned to the White House in January.
Much of the anger was focused on Musk and his efforts to fire federal workers and reduce the size of government. In his role in the U.S. Government, Musk is a special government employee and oversees a team of people at the Department of Government Efficiency.
“We all realize that there are things that need to be cut out in the government, but you don’t come in and just cut everybody out and take everybody and send them an email that ‘you’re fired,’ just because someone doesn’t like you,” Loehr said. “That’s not how democracy works.”
Kegg has three disabled family members that she cares for. She said it is hard to be a caretaker in normal times, and that the Trump administration is making it even more challenging right now.
“It’s just cruel and unusual punishment to put us through, not knowing if they’re Social Security’s going to come or if Medicaid or Medicare is going to be cut off for the neediest among us,” Kegg said.
The Social Security Administration is preparing to lay off at least 7,000 people from its 60,000-person workforce. The impact the layoffs could have on the benefits of the 72.5 million Social Security beneficiaries is unclear.
“Many people in the country are not rich,” Loehr said. “Many people are middle class and poor, living on a fixed income and might need some food stamps and help.”
Loehr says he is speaking up for his best friend, Harrison Bates, who passed away a little over a year ago.
“He would be here with me,” Loehr said. “Since he can’t be here, I’m going to be here, and I’m going to speak for both of us.”
Opponents are looking for new energy and momentum as President Trump plows ahead in his second term in office.
“Love makes America great,” Kegg said. “Leave the hate behind.”
The protest in Austin was led by the 50501 Movement, which stands for 50 protests, 50 states and one movement.
Everything appeared to be peaceful at the Capitol, and there were no reports of any arrests.
Organizers say they plan to hold similar rallies and protests in the future.