Thousands protest Elon Musk’s DOGE in NYC on Presidents’ Day

A protest in New York City on Presidents’ Day drew over 10,000 attendees who voiced their opposition to the current Trump administration and specifically Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).

This protest was part of a series of demonstrations held in major cities across the country on the same day, coinciding with smaller protests at Tesla dealerships nationwide.

Protesters in Washington Square Park expressed concerns about DOGE’s access to sensitive data and its dismantling of federal agencies, viewing Musk’s involvement as a power grab without democratic mandate.

Critics, like 55-year-old Tom, highlighted the lack of public mandate for Musk’s role in government decisions, questioning the impact of DOGE’s actions on American citizens.

Created by Trump through an executive order, DOGE has made significant cuts to federal agencies and contracts, raising concerns about transparency and legality.

Supporters of Trump and Musk see DOGE’s actions as necessary steps to combat corruption, while opponents fear the repercussions on national security and corruption levels.

Legal challenges have arisen over allegations of lack of transparency and data privacy violations in DOGE’s operations.

The New York protest, starting at Union Square and moving to Washington Square Park, featured chants against Musk and DOGE, with signs conveying various concerns.

The NYPD estimated the protest attendance to be over 10,000 people, with participants like Victoria calling attention to the perceived power shift to Musk.

Critics like Corwin pointed out Musk’s potential conflicts of interest and antiregulatory stances that benefit his companies personally.

Musk’s targeting of regulatory agencies has raised questions about his influence on government decisions and the impact on his companies’ public image, notably Tesla.