Demonstrators hold up their signs during the Hands Off protest near city hall in Rancho Mirage, Calif., Saturday, April 5, 2025.
San Diego, California – More than 12,000 demonstrators filled the streets of downtown San Diego on Saturday as part of a nationwide wave of protests aimed at the Trump administration’s sweeping policy changes and the growing influence of billionaire Elon Musk in federal government affairs.
The protest — one of several in San Diego County and more than 1,200 nationwide — was part of the “Hands Off!” movement, a national day of action denouncing what organizers have called “the most brazen power grab in modern history.”
At the heart of the protests were growing concerns over mass federal employee firings, cuts to public programs like Social Security and Medicare, and Musk’s controversial leadership of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), a new Trump-era agency with a mandate to streamline government spending.
“This is the only tool we have to stand up, to be seen, to be heard,” said Jay Duchnick, a 60-year-old nurse from North Park, as marchers packed Civic Center Plaza before marching to the Hall of Justice. San Diego police estimated the crowd at 12,000, with no incidents of violence or vandalism reported.
Across the county, parallel demonstrations were held in Encinitas, Carlsbad, Oceanside, Rancho Bernardo, and Borrego Springs. In Rancho Bernardo, several hundred people — many waving flags — lined the streets and cheered as drivers honked in support.
The downtown rally featured speeches from local elected officials, progressive leaders, and residents directly affected by recent federal policies. Rep. Scott Peters criticized the administration’s economic disruptions, while Rep. Sara Jacobs questioned the sincerity of Trump’s vow not to cut Medicare or Social Security, stating, “He says one thing, and then Republicans in Congress do another.”
San Diego City Councilmember Sean Elo-Rivera denounced recent deportation tactics, calling them a violation of due process. “We have folks who are legally permitted to be here being ripped away from their communities,” he said.
Protesters also targeted Musk, accusing him of enabling chaos through DOGE’s rapid-fire cost-cutting initiatives.
While DOGE officials defend their mission, citing widespread government waste, critics argue their cuts are haphazard and harmful. A recent Marquette poll showed 58% of Americans disapprove of Musk’s work at DOGE.
