Protesters Across US Rally Against Trump and Project 2025

By Associated Press

Published 5 months ago on

February 5, 2025

Protests erupt across US as Trump administration and allies move to dismantle federal agencies and programs. (AP/Alex Brandon)

Nationwide protests planned against Trump administration and Project 2025 under #buildtheresistance hashtag
Democrats demand answers on Elon Musk's access to sensitive government data through new efficiency department
EPA to resume payments for major environmental programs after court order freezes Trump's funding pause

A movement to oppose President Donald Trump organized under the hashtags #buildtheresistance and #50501, which stands for 50 protests, 50 states, is looking to spark nationwide protests on Wednesday. Organized largely online, many of the protests are planned at state capitols, with some in other cities. Flyers circulating decry Project 2025, a hard-right playbook for American government and society, and include messages such as “reject fascism” and “defend our democracy.”

Hundreds are also rallying in Washington, D.C., in support of USAID as the Trump administration seeks to dismantle the government agency aid, sending U.S. workers around the world scrambling to pack up households and shudder the institutions six-decade mission.

Democrats Demand Answers Over Musk’s Access to Sensitive Data

Democrats on the Senate Intelligence Committee questioned the White House Wednesday about President Donald Trump’s decision to grant billionaire Elon Musk and his staff access to classified information and the personal data of millions of Americans.

Writing to White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, the lawmakers said national security and Americans’ personal privacy must be protected from security lapses that could occur as Musk and his staff look to overhaul the federal workforce.

Musk and inspectors at the Department of Government Efficiency now have access to information contained within dozens of agencies, including medical and financial data belonging to millions of Americans, and classified material about foreign intelligence or the identity of undercover operatives.

In their letter, the senators asked how department staff were vetted and what safeguards are in place to prevent the misuse of information.

Democratic lawmakers also invited themselves into House Speaker Mike Johnson’s office to meet with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent over DOGE’s access of a highly private federal payment system.

Rep. Judy Chu, D-Ca., and Rep. Gwen Moore, D-Wis., who are both members of the powerful Ways & Means Committee, headed over to the speaker’s suite to demand answers. It was unclear if the speaker or the Treasury secretary were on hand to meet and discuss.

More Pushback on Trump’s Gaza Plan, This Time From Republicans

Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham called Trump’s proposal for a U.S. takeover of Gaza as “problematic.”

“The idea of Americans going in on the ground in Gaza is a non starter for every senator,” the South Carolina lawmaker told reporters Wednesday. “So I would suggest we go back to what we’ve been trying to do which is destroy Hamas and find a way for the Arab world to take over Gaza and the West Bank, in a fashion that would lead to a Palestinian state that Israel can live with.”

Callers Swamp Senate Offices, Only to Get Busy Signals and Voicemail

Callers are getting busy signals and voicemail inboxes too full to leave comments at many U.S. Senate offices. There’s a deluge of people trying to voice their opinions on Trump’s Cabinet picks, executive orders and moves to dismantle various federal programs.

The problem was confirmed in a memo distributed to Senate staff obtained by The Associated Press.

Constituents want to reach their representatives as Trump and his ally Musk work to dismantle much of the federal government, shuttering agencies, temporarily freezing funding and pushing workers to resign.

One popular social media post urges opponents to call their lawmakers six times a day, every day — two calls to each of their senators and two to their House members. “You should NOT be bothering with online petitions or emailing,” it said.

McConnell’s Office Says He’s Doing Fine, Using Wheelchair as Precaution

“Senator McConnell is fine,” his spokesman David Popp said.

The office sent a statement after the former GOP leader, who suffered from childhood polio, stumbled on a small series of steps exiting the Senate.

“The lingering effects of polio in his left leg will not disrupt his regular schedule of work,” Popp said.

McConnell was using a wheelchair as a precautionary measure at the Capitol.

EPA to Resume Payments for Major Programs

The Environmental Protection Agency will resume payments for major programs including Superfund site cleanup, clean drinking water infrastructure and habitat restoration, according to a Tuesday memo obtained by The Associated Press and first reported by E&E News.

The internal memo from Gregg Treml, acting Chief Financial Officer, complies with a recent court order temporarily freezing the Trump administration’s broad pause on federal financial assistance.

Funding will continue to flow “while ongoing litigation proceeds or until otherwise directed by a court,” the memo said.