'Stop the coup' shout protesters against Trump, Musk in nationwide rallies

Thousands of demonstrators gathered in cities across the U.S. on Wednesday to protest the Trump administration's early actions, decrying everything from the president's immigration crackdown to his rollback of transgender rights and a proposal to forcibly transfer Palestinians from the Gaza Strip.

Protesters in Philadelphia and at state capitols in Minnesota, Michigan, Texas, Wisconsin, Indiana and beyond waved signs denouncing President Donald Trump; billionaire Elon Musk, the leader of Trump's new Department of Government Efficiency; and Project 2025, a hard-right playbook for American government and society.

"Democracy is not a spectator sport! Do something," said a sign held aloft by one demonstrator in Philadelphia.

The protests were a result of a movement that has organized online under the hashtags #buildtheresistance and #50501, which stands for 50 protests, 50 states, one day. Websites and accounts across social media issued calls for action, with messages such as "reject fascism" and "defend our democracy."

Outside the state capitol in Lansing, Mich., a crowd of about 1,000 people gathered in freezing temperatures.

Catie Miglietti, from the Ann Arbor area, said Musk's access to the Treasury Department data was especially concerning. She painted a sign depicting Musk puppeteering Trump from his raised arm — evoking Musk's straight-arm gesture during a January speech that some have interpreted as a Nazi salute.

"If we don't stop it and get Congress to do something, it's an attack on democracy," Miglietti said.

In Columbus, Ohio, protesters outside the Statehouse shouted, "Wake up, USA! Stop the coup that's underway!"

"I'm appalled by democracy's changes in the last, well, specifically two weeks — but it started a long time ago," said Margaret Wilmeth, a self-described senior citizen from Columbus. "So I'm just trying to put a presence into resistance."

Craig and Robin Schroeder drove nearly two hours from their home in Findlay for the demonstration. They described the appointment of Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth as a slap to Ohio's military families. The Senate narrowly confirmed Hegseth after questions from members in both parties over his qualifications to lead the military, especially amid allegations of heavy alcohol use and aggressive behaviour toward women.

"This is my first protest ever, but I can't imagine a more worthwhile one," said Robin Schroeder, 47.

Demonstrations in several cities piled criticism on Musk and the Department of Government Efficiency.

"DOGE is not legit," read one poster on the state Capitol steps in Jefferson, Mo., where dozens of protesters gathered. "Why does Elon have your Social Security info???"

Members of Congress have expressed concern that DOGE's involvement with the U.S. government payment system could lead to security risks or missed payments for programs such as Social Security and Medicare. A Treasury Department official says a tech executive working with DOGE will have "read-only access."

The Missouri protesters chanted "we will not bend down" and "we will not be silenced."

Trump has signed a series of executive orders in the first couple of weeks of his new term on everything from trade and immigration to climate change. As Democrats begin to raise their voice in opposition to Trump's agenda, protests have also begun.

In Alabama, several hundred people gathered outside the Statehouse to protest state and federal actions targeting LGBTQ+ people.

On Tuesday, Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey promised to sign legislation declaring that there are only two sexes, male and female — echoing Trump's recent executive order for the federal government stating the same.

"The president thinks he has a lot of power," the Rev. Julie Conrady, a Unitarian Universalist minister told the crowd. "He does not have the power to determine your gender.

"He does not have the power to define your identity."