Protests against the actions of President Donald Trump and Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) head Elon Musk swept across the nation Monday, with some calling the Presidents Day holiday “No Kings Day.”
The protests were organized under the banner of the 50501 Movement and are the second wave of national demonstrations by the group in less than two weeks.
“We see elected officials shrinking from their responsibility to speak out, paralyzed by fear oflosing their political opportunities,” 50501 said in a statement. “But amidst this, we are witnessing an unprecedented wave of unity. People from every background and every corner of this nation are coming together to demand accountability and to push back against the erosion of our rights.”
Themes seen throughout the protests were a demand of the immediate end of DOGE, calls for the impeachment of Trump and the flying of the American flag upside down, which the U.S. Flag Code states is “a signal of dire distress.“
Trump and his administration have shown “a blatant disregard for the rule of law,” said Benjamin Kirkbride, of Ohio. Kirkbride told the Columbus Dispatch − a part of the USA TODAY Network − that he is disturbed by Trump firing over a dozen inspectors general who act as independent watchdogs on the federal government.
Here is a look at the anti-Trump and Musk protests on Presidents Day.
Americans protest Donald Trump on Presidents Day
Related: Ohio residents demand answers after Nazi protest
This is a developing story and may be updated
Contributing: Jordan Laird of the Columbus Dispatch
