Staged or Not, Republicans Ignore the ‘Hands Off’ Protests at Their Own Peril
Democrats are defending wasteful government spending, protecting dangerous criminals from removal, standing against the domestic production of critical medications, and rejecting basic parental rights.
As orchestrated and misguided as the ‘Hands Off’ protests against President Donald Trump and Elon Musk held in cities throughout the U.S. on Saturday were, Republicans would be foolish to ignore them. The events were well-attended, strategic, and powerful. The protests matter and they must be countered.
CNN reported that millions of people gathered to condemn what they see as the Trump administration’s “hostile takeover” and “attack on American rights and freedoms.”
Over 1,400 “Hands Off!” mass-action protests were held at state capitols, federal buildings, congressional offices, Social Security’s headquarters, parks and city halls throughout the entire country – anywhere “we can make sure they hear us,” organizers said. “Hands Off!” demands “an end to this billionaire power grab.”
Don’t underestimate them. They’re getting organized while we’re getting cocky and infighting.
I would rather take this very seriously and be wrong, than brush it off and lose 2026. https://t.co/pKHbYWzmxG
— The Misfit Patriot (@misfitpatriot_) April 6, 2025
Legendary military strategist Sun Tzu warned: never underestimate your enemy, and never let success breed arrogance. The GOP would do well to keep this wisdom in mind.
In November, Republicans won a decisive and resounding victory. Four years of Democratic leadership had taken a heavy toll on the country. With former President Joe Biden’s cognitive decline widely acknowledged, it remains uncertain who was truly making the key decisions. What is certain, however, is that a series of disastrous policy decisions led to the entry of more than 15 million illegal immigrants, a 20% surge in prices across nearly all sectors, soaring interest rates, a weakened global position, and unsustainable federal spending. It was only through unprecedented levels of government spending that Democrats managed to stave off a recession last year.
But in politics, five months can feel like a lifetime. While the jury is still out on Trump’s “Liberation Day” rollout of retributive tariffs targeting U.S. trading partners, early indicators suggest that a majority of Americans are satisfied with the direction of his leadership so far.
Meanwhile, Democrats—still reeling from their defeat—are well aware of their weakened position. But if there’s one thing the party has mastered, it’s the strategic use of propaganda when and where it matters most.
Looking ahead to next year’s midterms, Democrats have already set their narrative: they claim to be resisting a “Trump-Musk billionaire takeover” and a “Republican assault on our freedoms and our communities.” According to the flyer for Saturday’s protest, the stated reasons for their mass mobilization are as follows:
- Trump and Musk are attempting an illegal power grab is a crisis we must stop.
- Trump, Musk, and congressional Republicans are gutting services, raising prices, and racing towards slashing Medicaid, Social Security, and more.
- Trump, Musk, and congressional Republicans are on this path of destruction for the benefit of their billionaire allies.
Organizers tell protestors, “Whether you are mobilized by the attacks on our democracy, the slashing of jobs, the invasion of privacy, or the assault on our services—this moment is for you. We are setting out to build a massive, visible, national rejection of this crisis.”
Here's the list of organizations behind the "Hands Off" protests across the country yesterday: pic.twitter.com/2ku3YQgXLd
— End Wokeness (@EndWokeness) April 6, 2025
So there’s no confusion: Democrats are actively protesting efforts to eliminate waste and fraud from the federal budget—even as reports show that 1.3 million illegal immigrants are receiving Medicaid benefits while countless American citizens remain uninsured. They oppose the deportation of violent foreign gang members, the return of essential manufacturing (including life-saving pharmaceuticals) to the U.S., and the right of parents to be informed when their children are being socially transitioned in schools.
In effect, this means Democrats are defending wasteful government spending, protecting dangerous criminals from removal, standing against the domestic production of critical medications, and rejecting basic parental rights.
These positions are not only irrational—they place the party on the wrong side of clear-cut, 80-20 issues. Republicans must seize the moment, flip the script, and reveal the real-world consequences of left-wing policies using data, case studies, and personal stories. They should continue exposing the corruption, incompetence, and abuse of power within the Democratic Party—relentlessly and unapologetically.
Democrats deserve to be publicly ridiculed. As radical community organizer Saul Alinsky famously observed, “Ridicule is man’s most potent weapon.” He was right. Humor and satire remain among the most effective tools for shifting culture and shaping public opinion.
Republicans must strengthen their grassroots efforts to counter the left’s well-established organizing power. The focus should be on recruiting and supporting compelling, relatable candidates who resonate with everyday voters—not just party insiders or political operatives.
What Republicans cannot afford to do is dismiss the so-called resistance movement. It’s not enough to defend against incoming attacks. They must take the fight directly to the Democrats. While this kind of offensive posture may be unfamiliar or even uncomfortable for some within the GOP, they must do it to win.
Truth has never been a priority for the modern Democratic Party. For over a decade, they’ve engaged in a relentless campaign of gaslighting and narrative manipulation. Republicans won in November because they stayed on offense—and they must continue in that direction.
In short, the GOP needs to seize control of the national narrative and double down on its momentum. The stakes could not be higher. A return to Democratic control of the House in 2027 would all but guarantee the collapse of Trump’s agenda and unravel the gains made since his return to leadership.
Elizabeth writes commentary for Legal Insurrection and The Washington Examiner. She is an academy fellow at The Heritage Foundation. Please follow Elizabeth on X or LinkedIn.
DONATE
Donations tax deductible
to the full extent allowed by law.
Comments
I really fear for the nation; I think summer will be very touchy. ONE black/cop incident. ONE Tesla owner defending life and property. ONE campus demo going over the edge.
The difference being that as opposed to 2020, we patriots control the military and can use it to put down a Communist revolt. And it may be necessary to do.
Maybe but any riot in any city that is not immediately stopped by the city’s administration will not follow Biden’s playbook to let the city burn. Trump will order the Feds to step in and secure order. There are far more people that do not want riots, looting, burning and murder than wear those childish masks.
We drove by a couple of these clown shows.
2 observations:
1. They have no message, just that they hate Musk and Trump.
2. Musk has been doing a great job because USUALLY these protests are well financed astroturf and they have plenty of money for printing up professionally made signs for their “spontaneous” messages. Sign printing money has dried up.
They went down to the demonstration to get their fair share of abuse.
F’g morons each and everyone of them.
Exactly. As with any narcissist, they MUST be ignored.
The same players doing the same things. Difference is, the public has tuned them out. They discovered the lies and bad acts from these pretenders. These are shows for the delusional people that cannot be trusted to make good decisions. And who will inreasingly become violent and redupdiate themselves. Paint them as the extremists they are and remind people the lengths they will go in their zeal for power over us all.
Did anyone notice that blacks were actively excluded?
Not offered pay, and actively discouraged from showing up?
Now I’m curious.
How does one learn that blacks were actively discouraged?
If you self identified as black you would have gotten the memo.
Look at the videos and try to find a black person. Even in DC.
Compare to other protests.
Interesting. Can you theorize as to why that was? I don’t trust that the black vote is going reliably conservative, certainly not the black woman vote. I did see Ilhan Omar, who is sort of a black woman, speaking in DC. But I didn’t notice any African-American women.
Was it so as to appear more “mainstream”? What are black people being told, because their government jobs are at stake too.
I think everyone here (trolls excluded) agree that Republicans need to push back against Democrat propaganda if they want to win elections and be otherwise successful.
The problem is that most Republicans are happy being losers and the opposition party.
Trump is not a traditional Republican. He wants to win and be successful. That’s why he pushes back and traditional Republicans don’t much like him.
How do you solve this problem?
Get better Republicans.
Republicans do need to push back against Democrat propaganda, and I’ve done so in other forums. But it’s also important for Trump and his supporters to stop making unforced errors out of smug arrogance. For example, they need to connect the dots between
“Trump’s latest ‘troll’ really got the Dems riled up! Ha ha ha!!!’
and
“The Democrats are energized and winning the special elections! Boo hoo hoo!!!”
Oddly enough, Republicans lost more prior to Trump and Trump supporters making these so called errors. They also accomplished very little. For instance, Republicans have been “against” abortion and been promising to get Roe overturned for 50 years. 50 years of failure and “not yet,” “next time,” “we need more money,” and millions of other excuses and millions dead. Trump did it in one term. I’ll take his brand of Republicanism over the old GOP any day. Old Republicans are scared because Trump supporters have tasted success and accomplishments and knows they don’t have to settle for the same old Republican BS. You advocate for the old ways. That’s why no one here listens to you.
The key is to enact as much of the Trump agenda as possible as fast as possible.
When factories are opened hiring well paid workers to produce goods Americans need or want it will be easy for independent voters to climb aboard the America first train.
Similar situation with illegals. The border is now closed and very soon taxpayer funded benefits will end. Add in enforcement of laws against employers hiring illegals and massive self deportations will follow.
Nothing motivates like success.
Ultimately with enough success then true nation wide voting integrity will become possible and eventually it will become reality.
Your first comment about making it easy for independent voters to enjoy the gains so hard-won by conservatives is what I am talking about, saying we go for the tie. Sure, get the votes of the independents.
But install ideological conservatives in positions of authority everywhere. Don’t treat those independents the same as those who fought in the wilderness for years. Dems would never do something so disloyal to their base. Dems don’t play for the tie.
Oh dear, concerned guy is concerned!
Republicans are for fairness, in other words going for the tie. Dems go for the throat, to win “by any means necessary”.
Guess who’s gonna win in that scenario?
Republicans need to develop a bloodthirsty nature. I think MAGA has some of that, and it needs more. Trump seems to be making the leftwing enforcers back off, so there’s less to be scared of.
BS.
“Pushing back” is the same as reacting.
You don’t react to these bozos.
I would like proactive measures too. But in my lifetime, rare is the Republican who even pushed back. I’ll start there and hopefully grow.
Better Republicans like you, who reject any dissenting views?
Not sure how saying Republicans need to play to win equates with crushing dissent, but hey, you do you.
The GOP had better figure out that it was not the Republicans who won in November, but Trump.
And many Trump voters despise the weak and feckless Republicans in Congress; they are enemies of our country as surely as the Dems.
But even a RINO who votes with Republicans 75% of the time is better than a Democrat who will vote with Republicans 0-10% of the time.
Yes Elizabeth, but that RINO won’t be there when we really need them.
True. Congress is a team sport. The most important thing about a candidate is whether they’re a D or an R.
Although Lisa Murkowski and Susan Collins are pretty close to being exceptions. Maine’s probably a lost cause but Alaska for crying out loud, they should be able to do better.
That depends entirely on which votes he turns against us on
True and that’s why we shouldn’t get upset about someone like Sen Susan Collins from a Blue State b/c they are just about the most ‘conservative’ A politician that can win office. The same does NOT apply to someone like Sen Lankford of OK, Sen Cornyn of TX or Sen Graham of SC. All from Red States who would elect someone with a more ‘conservative’ philosophy. That’s where we should focus our ire; where there’s political room to move to more reliably consistent ‘conservative’ positions. Squishy GoP Sen from Red States or Squishy GoP Rep from Red CD gotta be led to water and if they won’t drink then …we got be willing to drown their political career. If that means handing a seat temporarily to the d/prog to get the squish out and replace them with someone more reliably ‘conservative’ in a.subsequent election so he it. Do it strategically and we keep majorities and one or two examples might push the remainder to ‘get their minds right’ without further action.
Bozo the Clown might have beaten Harris. But certainly another strong Republican would have. In fact, a non-crazy Republican might have done even better. People hate the Democrats right now, and for good reason.
Maryland just pass a bill forcing children to be indoctrinated with LGBTQ without parent consent and option to opt out in public schools. This likely will affect the accreditation of home and private schools too.
House Bill HB161, started as a controversial bill to make gender identity and sexual orientation a standalone part of the K-12 curriculum, removing parents’ ability to opt out. But today, things took an even more dramatic turn. Annapolis Democrats introduced a last-minute amendment, completely gutting the original bill and replacing it with one that never even had a public hearing. The new version strips local school board of control over education curriculum, handing that power to the unelected state school board appointed by the governor. This is the kind of chaos unfolding in Annapolis—decisions being made behind closed doors that could reshape education in Maryland. The bill passed.
See Matt Mogans facebook page.
The Dem is our enemy and they prove it by literally coming after our children. At this rate parents will resort to a page from the D playbook–mass action against D pols anywhere and everywhere they are found, by any means necessary. They have come for your children, that’s what communists do.
“At this rate parents will resort to a page from the D playbook–mass action against D pols …”
Only parents who prioritize their children over themselves. So don’t hold your breath.
In the state of Md that just might be true.
Going after our children served to polarize me much more against Dems.
Too many Rs in Congress don’t understand that we are at war. Democrats are always at some level of war against America and us. Rs will quibble over not getting something they want because of a tiny majority. We had better get everything we can get right now. Our numbers dictate how far we can go. We don’t have the numbers to equal all our principles yet. Neither did George Armstrong Custer.
The democrats are once again the party of Jim Crow.
They never stopped being the party of Jim Crow.
The generic term is color revolutions. NGAs and the internet establish non-violent protests to give the appearance of wide support. Chief Justice Roberts’s association with a major architect of color revolutions is a scandal that will take hold or won’t. See wiki.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colour_revolution
Roberts is going to become the ‘Chief Justice Roger Taney’ of the 21st century.
Why do they work? Jordan Peterson said to his psychology class that most of you have an IQ of 130. If you have an IQ of 120, you’re struggling with this material.
One out of ten has an IQ at or over 120. The rest fall for fake protests.
Ridiculous, especially for someone that obsesses over IQ as if having a high one, that the most common person cannot see through these fake protests. Probably easier in many cases than the pretend brainiac.
And then you have to spoil it with your obsession with IQ. Justice Roberts and the “major architect of color revolutions” both have high IQs. But they are fools.
Some of the most ignorant, stupid people I ever encountered were members of Mensa. I was a member for several years, but got smart and withdrew my membership.
100% completely correct.
“the GOP needs to seize control of the national narrative”: ⭑⭐︎⭐︎⭐︎⭐︎
“here’s how the GOP can seize control of the national narrative”: ⭑⭑⭑⭑⭑
Cell phone usage shows that these protests are geofenced and astro-turfed with a posse of essentially professional protesters.
This is now widely known because of X, and the sophisticated use of cell phone data. AI manipulation of crowds can also be detected.
Anyone interested in supporting real change will share the evidence of the fakery and mock it widely. https://www.zerohedge.com/political/geofenced-every-event-democrats-caught-staging-another-inorganic-color-revolution
Thank you Leslie for highlighting the false nature of many of those attending these ‘rallies’. Paid activists are very far from an organic, enthusiastic crowd excited to be there. Many of these folks were punching the clock. It still must be said that the organizers had the funding, the means, the desire and ability field simultaneous crowds of NPC across the Nation. The folks opposing us may be wokiestas and largely fake but they do have resources and organization to deploy. We shouldn’t be complacent.
Another interesting aspect of these protests has been pointed out elsewhere is that attendees are much older than usual. Many of the protesters appear to be in their 60’s with most 40 or over. Most likely these are teachers or government workers either active, retired or furloughed.
Government employees certainly, but the few who do real work are likely not there.
Interesting figures at that article. As I suspected, nearly all of the protestors are hard-core progressives who also attended Harris rallies. These are just the people who lost the election. They do not represent the people who voted for Trump (as the MSM is attempting to push a “now dissatisfied with Trump” narrative – complete BS). Why should Trump (or any other true, non-RINO conservatives) fear anything this bunch represents? The real threat (if there is one) comes from MSM’s distortions in their reportage of these events (inflating the numbers and concealing the nature of the protests as organized and paid-for by progressive NGOs). Once again, if you hate the MSM, you are almost certainly not hating them enough.
Unless and until people realize that the national GOP deliberately tanked 2018 and that they will do the same in 2026 in order to derail the Trump agenda, all the pleas in the world will be in vain.
Unemployed, soon to be unemployed grifters and/or paid activists alongside the usual collection of leftist NPC are not a huge cause for alarm. So long as these wokiesta grifters keep demanding open borders, coddling criminals, Trans primacy, elimination of Parental control and unfettered access to the public trough they gonna have a tough time gathering a majority.
The real issue is effective counter messaging. We.gotta continue to be relentless in pushing back on the woke Cray Cray to include the adherents of the globalist agenda now revealing themselves in their opposition to Trump acting to stop the decades long economic war waged by other Nations (with the globalist goons assistance) against the economic and National Security interests of the broad middle-class of US Citizens. Every time they stick their head up we gotta hammer it back down like a nail. They won’t operate in good faith and will always seek to obfuscate their agenda; continuation of the prior status quo which was to their economic benefit. That goes for the ‘welfare queen’ as much as for the faux libertarian corporatist grifters, crony capitalists, NGO hucksters and ideologues masquerading as nonpartisan federal bureaucrats. They are all of a similar piece, don’t be fooled, don’t be complacent and don’t be afraid to push back hard.
Leftists want to destroy the country, invite the world in to help them.
BS.
“Pushing back” is the same as reacting.
You don’t react to these bozos.
I agree, the majority were probably bused in
Lots of pictures of these buses
But still, many others joined in
They can’t wait to light a fire
You want to know what a true grassroots movement looks like then look no further than the Tea Party Movement.
You know what doesn’t look like a true grassroots movement? What ever the fook this Democrat thing is.
This is beginning to sound very much like late-20s early-30s Germany just prior to the NAZI (read Socialist) takeover.
See my comment of the top about what might come this summer. This is getting to be really something that I’m fearing. I’m too old and crippled up to fight.
I’m too old and crippled up to fight.
Nah. Just remember that even if you’re not as good as you once were, you’re as good once as you ever were.
Color revolutions are generally successful. Perhaps making the planners famous would help.
Tossing a few angry skunks into that crowd would have a amusing result.
.
In that crowd, you wouldn’t have noticed the smell.
I have had many experiences with skunks, 2 and 4 legged. One was when I was having trouble with coons getting into my barn. I set a live trap in the barn, the next morning there was a skunk in the trap. I put on a full rain suit, threw an old blanket over the trap and carried it out. The skunk died of lead poisoning. The place stunk for weeks. I stunk, in spite of my efforts, for days.
Liberals are attacking conservatives and pushing for a civil war. If Liberals wanted peace, there would be peace.
If Conservatives wanted war, there wouldn’t be any liberals.
We have three basic groups in these ‘protests’
–Older Americans who have been fed lies about Trump ‘stealing’ their Social Security.
–Young Americans who have been fed lies about “When the Dems take the Presidency next, they’ll forgive your student loans.”
–People who hate Trump and have no coherent reason that holds up under trivial scrutiny. (occasionally paid to attend, but mostly there to scream along with their peer group so they feel better about having ‘done something’)
All 3 groups are comprised of MORONS.
Many paid & mostly carry overs from the Hanoi Jane protests yrs later…..
Hold steady, they’ll do themselves in…
Demons are famous for overplaying their hands…. They can’t help themselves
The usual suspect can peacefully protest all they want. However what they can’t understand is that 2025 Trump is not 2020 Trump. If mass violence breaks out, President Trump isn’t going to sit on his hands and will take all necessary action to clamp down.
Insurrection is the only thing we need to charge these zeros with.
It will take a public display of gallows to quell these subhuman curs.
The goal is to get attention. They would like nothing more than a police overreaction.
Given the leadership of the cities where they demonstrate, the police are not gonna do a single solitary thing.
Exactly.
These are toddlers that need to be treated as such.
Never give in—or even acknowledge—a toddler tantrum.
Sun Tzu said a lot of things.
”
“Truth has never been a priority for the modern Democratic Party. ”
Elizabeth – do you own a mirror ? Seriously. You idolize a pathological liar and you have the chutzpah to lecture the other party about truth
SMH. so delusional.
So says the person who’d rather idolize the prior vegetable we had as POTUS.
I have plenty of posts on here. Can you point out one which indicates I idolized Biden. thanks.
All of them.
The people that already voted against Trump are protesting. Use this in an ad, post what they’re protesting about. Play it over and over until Democrats get gun shy about protesting. Put Trump, Vance and all their talking heads on air every where and point this out. Make Democrats defend it.
they have no need to defend it
they dont care they know how to win these wars
they are winning the battles
Republicans would be foolish to ignore them. The events were well-attended, strategic, and powerful. The protests matter and they must be countered.
^^^^^Thank you x1000^^^^
armies are organized and ignoring that will only lead to more destruction to civility
“A return to Democratic control of the House in 2027 would all but guarantee the collapse of Trump’s agenda and unravel the gains made since his return to leadership.”
This is a bit of overkill. We’ll retain the Senate in 2026, so Congress will be a deadlock. And Trump will want to roll out his agenda in the first two years anyway, get our recession asap and out the other side, before the 2028 presidential election.
If Trump can downsize the executive branch and ideally close some departments, that will take decades for the left to reverse. I love what Trump’s doing now, and it doesn’t need much cooperation from Congress, although cooperation might be needed for literally closing departments.
Would a bill to close departments be subject to filibuster in the Senate? If so could reconciliation overcome that — I would think that since it’s related to spending, it might be doable under reconciliation.
But I don’t know if Trump can get to the point of literally closing departments in another year and a half. Maybe he should start agitating for it now. He’s already said the words, close the education department.
Mass-holes for kamala? Not a winning coalition there.
Leave a Comment