On Presidents' Day, more than 10,000 protesters gathered in New York City to voice their dissent against the current Trump administration and specifically the actions of Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). This demonstration was one of several protests that erupted in major cities across the nation. Additionally, smaller protests emerged at Tesla dealerships nationwide over the long weekend.
Protesters at Washington Square Park expressed serious concerns regarding DOGE's access to sensitive data belonging to millions of Americans and the dismantling of federal agencies. Many view Musk's involvement with DOGE as a covert attempt to consolidate financial power. There is growing frustration over Musk, an unelected official, wielding unprecedented influence over the federal government.
"I think it’s extremely dangerous that Musk has access to our personal data," said Dmitri, a 53-year-old architect. "He’s living in a sci-fi fantasy and has the resources to do mass amounts of damage," he added. Similarly, Tom, a retired teacher, expressed, "As much as I dislike Trump, no one voted for Musk. The consolidation of power under billionaires is frightening."
The creation of DOGE was initiated by Trump's executive order on his first day in office, granting Musk the authority to combat government fraud, waste, and abuse of taxpayer dollars. Since then, DOGE has terminated nearly 10,000 federal workers responsible for various tasks, including managing federal lands and caring for military veterans. Additionally, 75,000 workers accepted buyout proposals, receiving eight months' pay and benefits upon resignation.
DOGE has also cut 104 government contracts related to diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility programs and dismantled the U.S. Agency for International Development. Furthermore, Trump granted Musk's DOGE team access to the Treasury department's digital payments system, raising questions about their security clearances and cybersecurity practices.
While supporters of Trump and Musk applaud efforts to eliminate corruption and inefficiency, opponents argue that DOGE's methods could lead to increased corruption and national security risks. Legal challenges have surfaced, claiming a lack of transparency and data privacy violations.
The New York protest began at Union Square and marched to Washington Square Park, with demonstrators gathering under the iconic memorial arch dedicated to George Washington. Chants of "Hey, hey, ho, ho, Elon Musk has got to go" echoed through the crowd. Protesters carried signs highlighting various causes, with Musk and DOGE being common themes.
Victoria, a 37-year-old teacher, voiced her concerns, stating, "This is not about disagreeing with Republican policies. It’s about Trump handing over the power of the purse to Elon Musk, an unelected official." Corwin, a 39-year-old small business owner, criticized Musk's antiregulatory attitudes that benefit him personally and financially.
Musk has targeted several federal agencies for reduction or dismantling, including the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and the Federal Aviation Administration. His actions have reportedly affected Tesla's brand image, with analysts noting a declining trend in Tesla's hype due to "severe brand devaluation."
The protests reflect widespread concern over the implications of Musk's increasing power and the potential consequences for American governance and public welfare.
