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.”
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:
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.”
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.
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