On Saturday, more than 1,000 protests unfolded across the United States as citizens rallied against the policies of the Trump administration, described by organizers as representing an “authoritarian overreach and billionaire-backed agenda.” The demonstrations were collectively branded as “Hands Off,” with organizers projecting participation from over 500,000 people in cities including Washington, D.C., and various locations in Florida.

In the National Mall of Washington, D.C., demonstrators traveled from states such as New Hampshire and Pennsylvania to participate in what is anticipated to be a large-scale rally.

With overcast weather as a backdrop, attendees displayed an array of placards, including some featuring Ukrainian flags, voicing their objection to the administration's approach to foreign relations amidst the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Diane Kolifrath, a 63-year-old protester from New Hampshire, expressed the desire for the event to serve as a motivating force for others to engage in civic protest.

“Many people are scared to protest against Trump because he has reacted aggressively and violently to those who have stood up,” she stated, underscoring the need for collective expression of dissent.

MoveOn, a key organizer of the protests alongside a coalition of labor, environmental, and progressive groups, indicated that this could be the largest single-day demonstration in several years.

Ezra Levin, a co-founder of Indivisible, echoed this sentiment, highlighting the mobilization's scale during a recent call.

The largest crowd was expected to gather at the National Mall, where several members of Congress, including Democrats Jamie Raskin, Maxwell Frost, and Ilhan Omar, were scheduled to address attendees.

Scenes from Hollywood, Florida, about an hour's drive from Trump’s Mar-a-Lago residence, echoed similar sentiments.

Protesters targeted Trump’s billionaire advisor, Elon Musk, criticizing his influence over government policies.

Slogans such as “Prosecute and jail the Turd Reich” and “Stop being [Vladimir] Putin’s puppet” reflected heightened emotions surrounding the current political climate.

In addition to vocal protests, many motorists passing through the areas expressed support, with honks and thumbs-up gestures.

Participants emphasized their concern about threats to democracy and civil rights, with resident Jennifer Heit carrying a sign that denounced authoritarianism.

The protests also drew attention to public health issues and the social safety net, with individuals expressing fears about the future direction of programs like Social Security under the current administration.

In Ventura, California, Sandy Friedman voiced her concern for her Social Security benefits alongside her granddaughter, Harlow Rose Rega, who held a sign imploring for a secure future.

The organizers of the nationwide mobilization characterized the day's events as a united front against what they termed a “brazen power grab,” alleging that Trump and his associates were dismantling government functions and protections meant to serve the public.

The protests follow a week of significant economic turmoil, with stock market declines attributed largely to Trump’s announcement of new tariffs.

In a contentious political climate, Trump stated on Friday that his policies would remain unchanged, even as his approval rating dipped to a new low of 43%.

This protest bears resemblance to the Women’s March following Trump’s inauguration in 2017, which mobilized at least 470,000 participants in Washington alone, marking one of the largest single-day protests in U.S. history.