Thousands rallied at the Minnesota Capitol in St. Paul and across the state Saturday as part of national protests against President Donald Trump’s policies, which organizers say are an “assault” on freedoms and leading to a “billionaire takeover” of government. Minnesota “Hands Off!” d emonstrators said they’re concerned about Trump’s deportations, trade war against allies, and billionaire presidential adviser Elon Musk’s push to downsize the federal government, which has already resulted in tens of thousands of layoffs and billions in reported cuts to everything from foreign aid to scientific research. A common theme among those in attendance was a fear of an emerging authoritarianism in the U.S. with what they see as fewer barriers to Trump in his second term as president. “Wake up Americans, this is fascism!” read one sign. Many others carried signs reading “No Kings.” Recent arrests of foreign university students with ties to Gaza war protests were a big area of concern for Seldon Caswell of White Bear Lake, who said immigration authorities are violating the constitutional right to due process. “Masked people wearing no uniform, who refuse to identify themselves, snatching people off the street? That should alarm everybody,” said Caswell, 53. “I am horrified that people I don’t know, students who were registered had a legal visa to be here — suddenly, their visa is gone, and they’re suddenly an illegal immigrant in our country to be disappeared.” Caswell and many others were first-time protesters. They represented a wide set of groups opposed to Trump’s agenda on a range of issues and carried signs telling the president and Musk to keep their “hands off” funding for education, health and science, or LGBTQ+ rights. Others were troubled by Trump’s treatment of close U.S. allies, like Canada, whom the president has recently hit with tariffs in an effort to pressure the country to do more to combat what Trump has called unfair limitations on U.S. goods. “We have a Canadian flag flying in front of our house,” said Ann Walters, 63, of St. Paul. “Those are the best neighbors ever. We just can’t believe that we’re starting a trade war with all these people.” Walters and others were among what Minnesota Capitol Security said was a crowd of up to 25,000 people — though estimates varied. Officers blocked several nearby streets in order to safely fit the rally, which caused heavy midday traffic in the blocks immediately surrounding the state Capitol. Activists and state lawmakers, including Rep. María Isa Pérez-Vega, DFL-St. Paul, and Rep. Emma Greenman, DFL-Minneapolis, as well as Minnesota 4th District Congresswoman Betty McCollum, spoke to the crowd, which gathered from around noon to about 2:30 p.m. in front of the Capitol. “We’re fighting back against Musk and Trump and their illegal and unconstitutional actions,” McCollum said in a brief speech. The event was just one of more than 1,200 events in all 50 states planned by groups ranging from unions, veterans and LGBTQ+ advocates, the Associated Press reported. The White House issued a statement in response to questions from the AP about the protests, downplaying concerns about federal cuts. “President Trump’s position is clear: he will always protect Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid for eligible beneficiaries,” the statement said. “Meanwhile, the Democrats’ stance is giving Social Security, Medicaid, and Medicare benefits to illegal aliens, which will bankrupt these programs and crush American seniors.” Besides the rally at the state Capitol, protesters gathered in other Minnesota cities, including Duluth and Rochester. The St. Paul rally was backed by the 50501 movement, which led a large anti-Trump protest at the state Capitol in February, as well as Indivisible Twin Cities and Women’s March Minnesota. The Republican Party of Minnesota said the rally was organized by “radical progressive groups” and showed that the Democratic Party is “rudderless” and “out of ideas.” “If this is the best the radical Left has to offer — old ideas, more government waste, and endless complaining — then we welcome the contrast,” Minnesota GOP Chairman Alex Plechash said in a statement. While there have been anti-Trump showings in Minnesota since he took office again in January, Saturday’s rally was by far the largest, and organizers vowed to continue to pressure the administration and other elected officials with protests. “It’s time to get off the couch, get out and say something, do something,” said Don Pelton, a 71-year-old veteran from Cottage Grove who decided to join the Indivisible group just one week ago. “I don’t think that the legislators, the government, as it stands right now, can’t ignore it.” Vanessa Plata, 46, of Maple Grove, said she’s always been politically engaged, but that Saturday’s rally was the first time she had attended a protest in person. Plata, who immigrated to the U.S. from Mexico, said she believes institutions meant to place checks and balances against Trump are failing. “We can’t continue just sit idle and pretend that what would have been what has been done to the country is normal,” she said. “People are waking up … realizing this is not OK, just a power grab, it needs to stop.” Related Articles As Northland events mount in response to Trump’s cuts, attendees ask: Where’s Stauber? Minnesota health department cuts 170 jobs after federal COVID grant freeze Minnesota Senate Democrats approve resolution condemning Trump’s pardons of Jan. 6 rioters MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell says he’s considering a run for governor With shortfalls on horizon, Minnesota budget targets feature big cuts ...read more read less