WASHINGTON − Groups opposed to actions by the Trump administration in recent weeks converged on cities Wednesday across the U.S. to loudly register their discontent.
The protests came days after widespread rallies and street marches against President Donald Trump’s immigration policies that have led to sweeping ICE raids.
In Washington, a crowd several hundred deep gathered outside the U.S. Capitol for a demonstration against Trump’s efforts to diminish the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). Rallygoers bundled up in puffy winter coats, hats and gloves held up signs against Trump.“Don’t let democracy die,” “Elon cheats on video games,” “Checks and balances make America great,” some of the signs read. Demonstrators chanted at Democratic lawmakers speakers to “do your job!”
Virginia Sen. Tim Kaine said Democrats plan to fight the changes in court, in state legislatures and in Congress. Fellow Virginia Sen. Mark Warner urged protesters to take their concerns to GOP lawmakers as well.
“Don’t just show up here,” Warner said. “We are only going to break this when we have Republicans willing to stand up as well. Put the pressure not just on us but on everyone, every elected official.”
The peaceful demonstration, under the watch of U.S. Capitol Police wearing bulletproof vests, ended around 1:30 p.m.
Trump has signed a flurry of executive orders and taken other actions since his Jan. 20 inauguration to remake and reduce the size of America’s 2.2 million-strong federal workforce. Diversity programs have been targeted; government web pages have been scrubbed of gender references.
Trump accuses USAID of being ‘corrupt’:Implies the agency’s days are numbered
Souce: USA Today
