What Are the ‘Hands Off!’ Protests Really About?

On April 5, 2025, the U.S. saw a wave of coordinated protests that stretched across all 50 states. The movement, branded as “Hands Off!”, wasn’t just your usual Saturday gathering.

Over 1,200 protests took place—yes, you read that right—1,200. And they weren’t confined to the typical hotbeds like New York or Los Angeles. Even smaller, more conservative towns like Fayetteville, West Virginia, and Cookeville, Tennessee got in on it.

The ‘Hands Off!’ protests were aimed squarely at former President Donald Trump and tech billionaire Elon Musk. Why them? Two words: Project 2025. It’s part of the Trump administration’s broader government overhaul plan, which has already resulted in massive agency cuts, layoffs, and the gutting of programs like Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, and the Department of Education. Musk, who heads the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), has been overseeing these aggressive cost-cutting measures.

Groups like Indivisible and MoveOn organized the nationwide action. Their message? Don’t touch essential public services, and stop turning government agencies into private experiments. The crowd was made up of a diverse mix of people—seniors worried about their benefits, students pushing back against education cuts, healthcare workers, parents, and even federal employees afraid of losing their jobs. All told, over 500,000 people hit the streets.

One major theme that came up again and again was distrust. People feel that decisions are being made by a small circle of wealthy, powerful figures with zero accountability. The protests were dotted with signs like “Keep Your Hands Off My Healthcare,” “Musk Is Not My Czar,” and “Trump Can’t Fire Democracy.”

HAPPENING NOW: A MASSIVE protest is taking place in downtown Chicago for the “Hands Off!” movement against Elon Musk and Donald Trump pic.twitter.com/NVEiTFi8Iy

— Marco Foster (@MarcoFoster_) April 5, 2025

Protesters also voiced concerns about marginalized communities. Signs supporting trans rights, immigrant protections, and racial justice were everywhere. While Project 2025 is billed as an efficiency initiative, critics argue it’s just a cover for rolling back decades of progress.

Internationally, solidarity protests popped up in cities like London, Paris, Berlin, and Stockholm. That global attention makes it clear: this isn’t just about U.S. domestic policy. It’s about the global implications of authoritarian-style governance.

The administration did respond. A White House spokesperson said President Trump is committed to protecting Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid for all “eligible beneficiaries” – though critics argue that the key word is “eligible,” which gives the administration room to redefine who qualifies.

Elon Musk, meanwhile, took to X (formerly Twitter) and brushed off the protests, claiming they were “funded by rival billionaires” and accusing the movement of being more astroturf than grassroots.

But if the scale of Saturday’s turnout is any indication, people aren’t buying it. The Hands Off! movement clearly touched a nerve, and with more RIFs (reductions in force) and agency restructuring planned, it’s probably not the last we’ll hear of it.

Bottom line? This wasn’t just noise. It was a massive, coordinated pushback against what many see as a government being hollowed out from the inside. And judging by the turnout, it’s a fight that’s just getting started.

Leo Cruz brings sharp insights into the world of politics, offering balanced reporting and analysis on the latest policies, elections, and global political events. With years of experience covering campaigns and interviewing world leaders, Leo ensures readers are always informed and engaged.