Former U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris has voiced her support for the widespread "Hands Off!" protests across the United States, aimed at opposing President Donald Trump’s administration and its sweeping policy changes spearheaded by billionaire Elon Musk.
The demonstrations, held on April 5, 2025, saw thousands of Americans rallying in over 1,200 locations across all 50 states.
Harris, who lost to Trump in the 2024 presidential election, took to X (formerly Twitter) to commend the protesters for standing against policies she described as detrimental to key social programs and individual freedoms.
In her statement, Harris wrote: "Today in every state across our nation, Americans are standing up to the administration as they implement Project 2025 at full speed. Thank you for using your voices and the power of protest to stand for Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid; for the Department of Education and programs like Head Start; for clean air and water; and for the right to make decisions about your own body without government interference. The voices of working people will always be louder than the unelected billionaires."
Protests Target Trump's Policies
The protests were organized by a coalition of over 150 groups, including labor unions, civil rights organizations, LGBTQ+ advocates, veterans, and environmental activists.
Demonstrators expressed outrage over Trump’s administration's actions, including cuts to federal spending, downsizing government agencies such as Social Security offices, reductions in health funding, and rollbacks on transgender protections. Musk’s role as head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has drawn criticism for his aggressive probes into government spending across sectors like education, health, defense, and USAID.
Global Solidarity
The protests also extended beyond U.S. borders with satellite demonstrations held in countries such as the United Kingdom, France, Belgium, Germany, Mexico, and American territories like Puerto Rico and American Samoa.
Protesters globally echoed concerns about Trump's governance style and Musk's influence on policy decisions.
White House Response
In response to the protests, the White House defended its policies in a statement: "President Trump’s position is clear: he will always protect Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid for eligible beneficiaries.
Meanwhile, Democrats propose extending these benefits to illegal immigrants, a move that would bankrupt these programs and harm American seniors."
Growing Opposition
Harris’s endorsement of the protests marks her re-emergence as a vocal critic of Trump’s administration after maintaining a relatively low public profile since her election defeat.
Her support signals growing opposition to Project 2025, a controversial initiative aimed at restructuring federal agencies and cutting costs, which many view as disproportionately affecting vulnerable populations.
The "Hands Off!" movement continues to gain momentum as protesters demand an end to policies they believe undermine social welfare programs and individual rights.
With tensions escalating between Trump’s administration and opposition groups, these protests could shape the political discourse leading up to future elections.