Protesters gathered at the Minnesota State Capitol during the Hands Off! demonstration on April 5, 2025.

Hands Off! protests sweep across the US: Massive demonstrations against Trump's new tariffs and cuts

2025-04-06

Tens of thousands of Americans participated on April 5, 2025, in the largest day of protest so far during Donald Trump's second term. The movement "Hands off!" targets Trump's aggressive tariffs, dismantling of government functions, and Elon Musk's influence over the federal bureaucracy.

Protests in over 1 cities: A historic mobilization

Saturday, April 5, 2025, marked one of the largest days of protest in modern American history. Under the slogan “Hands Off!” People demonstrated in all 50 states, with large gatherings in Washington, DC, New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, and Atlanta. According to organizers, over 1 protest meetings took place, with an estimated total attendance of over 300 participants.

Solidarity actions were also organized internationally in cities such as London, Berlin and Paris, where Americans living abroad and local protesters joined forces against Trump's policies.

The background: Trump's tariffs and Musk's cuts

The protests are a direct reaction to several of President Trump's recent decisions, including:

New import tariffs that have hit American consumers and export companies hard
Mass layoffs of over 200 federal employees, carried out under the direction of Elon Musk via the newly created Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE)
Proposals for government shutdowns and dramatic cuts to social programs such as Social Security and Medicare

Critics warn that these measures threaten both American democracy and the economic security of millions of citizens.

Organizers: A broad coalition behind “Hands Off!”

Behind the protests is a coalition of over 150 organizations, including:

The grassroots movement indivisible
Trade union central organizations that AFL-CIO
Human rights groups that Human Rights Campaign
Democratic politicians and local activist groups

In Washington, among others, spoke jamie raskin, Ilhan Omar and Eric Swalwell, while thousands of participants showed their support with signs like “Hands Off Our Democracy” and “Stop DOGE” – a direct reference to Elon Musk’s efficiency program.

Tens of thousands of people gathered at the Washington Monument during the Hands Off! protest in April 2025. — Washington, DC became the center of the Hands Off! movement on April 5, 2025. Tens of thousands of Americans filled the area around the Washington Monument in a peaceful but powerful expression of opposition to Trump's trade war and austerity policies.

Message: Protect democracy, welfare and minorities

The protesters gathered around a clear message: Keep your hands off our democracy, our rights and our social safety nets. Among the main demands are:
• Stop Trump's tariff policies that risk damaging the US economy
• Protect Social Security, pensions and welfare programs
• Stop cuts in education and healthcare
• Defend the rights of LGBTQ people and the protection of minorities
• Preserve independent authorities and the principles of the rule of law

Signs with messages like “Protect Immigrants,” “Trans Rights are Human Rights,” and “Hands Off My Retirement” were seen across the country.

Peaceful demonstrations – despite harsh messages

The protests were peaceful in both major cities and smaller communities. Local police forces were present, but no major incidents were reported. In Palm Springs and New York, for example, the demonstrations only led to temporary traffic diversions.

According to several observers, the peaceful and organized implementation strengthened Hands Off! as a movement – especially in contrast to the administration's attempts to describe the protesters as "agitators."

Reactions: Democratic support – Trump strikes back

Democratic politicians praised the protesters. Jamie Raskin said:
“If they think they can destroy the foundations of democracy, then they don't know who they're dealing with.”

Trump responded via social media, calling the protests “fake news hysteria and far-left agitators.” The White House defended the tariffs and cuts as necessary for efficiency and economic security.

Effects for Thailand: Tariffs hit exports and stability

Trump's new import tariffs not only affect American households and businesses, but also have consequences globally – including for Thailand.

Thailand is a major trading partner for the United States, particularly in electronics, vehicles, rubber, food, and clothing. Under the latest U.S. tariff schedule, Thai goods will face additional tariffs of up to 25% across several product categories. These include:
• Electronic components and microcircuits
• Rubber and plastic products
• Textiles and ready-made clothing

The effect will be two-fold: Thai exporters will find it difficult to compete with lower margins, and American importers will look for other suppliers or raise prices. This could eventually affect Thai industrial employment and create concerns in the currency market.

In addition, the trade conflict risks spilling over into the ASEAN region, where Thailand plays a central role. Many experts warn that Thailand's 2025 growth target could be negatively affected if export volumes to the US decline sharply.

Final Words: A Wake-Up Call for the American People

Hands Off! became more than a protest – it became the starting point for resistance against an administration that, according to critics, acts in the interests of billionaires rather than the best interests of citizens.

The question many are now asking is:
Will this popular movement grow further as the effects of Trump's new tariffs begin to be felt on store shelves – with higher prices on everything from electronics to food?

When everyday life changes for ordinary people in the United States, discontent can quickly turn into an even stronger wave of resistance.