In just over 100 days of Trump 2.0, a reinvigorated Democratic opposition has taken shape. AOC and Bernie have been headlining rallies across the country. Cory Booker broke the record for the longest filibuster in Senate history. Beto O’Rourke is back on the road, holding town halls across Texas. Together, along with others, they’re making it clear: the fight is on. These examples all show how Democrats are fighting against the actions of the Trump administration, raising awareness around the authoritarian tendencies of the administration, & importantly testing the waters for potential runs.

Beyond the high-profile players, we’ve seen grassroots activism rising from the ground up. Protests like Hands Off!, most recently May Day, & the coming No King’s Day planned to counter Trump’s military parade on his birthday are a few examples of how citizens are making their voices heard across the country.

These protests are unfolding at a national level from New York to L.A. & even in deep red areas like Lubbock County in Texas. The protests respond to a wave of alarming developments: authoritarian behavior from the administration, the integration of billionaires like Elon Musk into governance, the erosion of civil liberties, the lack of due process for individuals like Kilmar Abrego Garcia, and the crackdown on campus free speech. They have surfaced issues that often fly under the radar for everyday Americans not glued to the news. They also have provided places for people to channel their fear, uncertainty, & anger into action & guidance for party leaders. While these organic movements have had their share of struggles we have seen the resistance persist  providing a sustainable & meaningful way for people to express their grievances & fight back against Trump’s policies.

Analysis

Protests like Democracy has No Kings, Hands off!, May Day, & the counter No Kings Day protest have arisen through organizations like 50501, Indivisible & organically with local organizations. With engagement up & a constant feed of materials from the Trump administration there is no end in sight for these protests across the country.

The protests have largely had general purposes & calls to action that appeal to a broader group of people. With rally cries  like “Hands off!” or “No Kings” these protests are able to speak to multiple issues at once & do not get bogged down in the weeds of policy issues. In terms of success or impact we have seen a consistent drop in Trump’s approval rating & shortened honeymoon period relative to historical trends. It is hard to say these are solely because of the protests, but it is reasonable to suspect that they play a role. One key indicator of success is the shrinking of Elon’s presence in the administration. The No Kings protests specifically went after Musk & the influence of elites in the administration. Musk announced that he would be stepping back in his role with DOGE & focusing more on Tesla & Space X after his stocks & sales fell. Additionally, Musk’s failed influence in the Wisconsin special election proved useful for Democrats despite the millions Musk threw at the race. While it’s hard to say these protest played a singular role in these outcomes, they have definitely made an impact. The attention, media, & engagement brought by the consistent use of protest in response to Trump’s agenda is something that will continue to pay dividends over time.

While these protests have made an impact they have also faced some scrutiny. Critics against the movement have criticized the lack of coherent messaging & messy organization. While these initial protests may have been a bit sloppy & unfocused, they have allowed for organic messaging to arise. By being broad these protests have allowed for citizens to be heard & lead the messaging of the protests. Instead of elites deciding the messages & being out of touch, these protests have served as trial ground for messaging & inform leaders what the people want them to focus on.

Engagement resources–

• 50501: A protest movement organizing nationwide actions against the Trump administration.
  https://www.fiftyfifty.one/
• Political Revolution: A political action committee dedicated to progressive grassroots activism
  https://pol-rev.com/
• Protest Sign Ideas: Here is a Reddit link affiliated with 50501 where you can discover ideas for protest signs
  https://www.reddit.com/r/50501/comments/1jkpz02/fun_impactful_protest_sign_ideas/