Over 10,000 demonstrators converged in New York City on Presidents’ Day to express their dissent against the current administration of Donald Trump, specifically targeting the initiatives of Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).

This event was part of a series of nationwide protests held on Monday, coinciding with smaller gatherings that unfolded at Tesla dealerships around the country over the long weekend, as described in an article by TechCrunch.

Protesters at Washington Square Park voiced their alarm over DOGE’s access to private information of millions of Americans, as well as the group’s actions to streamline and dismantle federal agencies. Many believe Musk’s involvement in DOGE signals a concealed effort to gain financial dominance, expressing outrage that an unelected individual like Musk wields such extraordinary influence over government operations.

“It’s incredibly concerning that [Musk] has control over our personal information,” stated Dmitri, a 53-year-old architect who preferred to remain anonymous. “He seems to exist in some kind of futuristic fantasy, using his resources in ways that could lead to significant harm. He’s experimenting with matters well beyond his comprehension.”

A 55-year-old retired educator named Tom, who carried a sign stating “No one voted for Musk,” shared his thoughts with TechCrunch: “While I find it disheartening that many Americans supported Trump, it’s undeniable that no one cast their vote in favor of Musk.”

Tom expressed skepticism about whether the average supporter of Trump’s agenda would have chosen Musk and voiced concerns that DOGE’s actions might negatively impact citizens at the municipal and personal levels. “It’s alarming to see power concentrated in the hands of billionaires,” he added.

On his first day in office, Trump issued an executive order establishing DOGE, placing Musk, the billionaire leader of SpaceX, Tesla, and X, in charge of eliminating government fraud, waste, and the misuse of taxpayer funds.

Since the inception of DOGE, the organization has laid off almost 10,000 federal employees across various departments responsible for tasks from managing federal lands to serving military veterans. Additionally, over 75,000 workers opted for the administration’s buyout offer, which provided federal employees with eight months’ salary and benefits to resign if they did so by early February. DOGE has also terminated 104 government contracts associated with diversity and inclusion initiatives and dismantled the U.S. Agency for International Development.

Moreover, Trump granted Musk’s team at DOGE access to the Treasury Department’s digital payment system, which oversees trillions in federal payments, including Social Security and tax refunds, despite concerns regarding their security protocols and the legitimacy of Musk’s undertakings.

While Trump and Musk’s supporters appreciate their initiatives aimed at addressing corruption and inefficiency, critics are concerned about their methods and warn that such actions could potentially increase corrupt practices and pose national security threats.

Following these developments, a surge of legal actions surfaced, alleging transparency issues and data privacy breaches.

In New York, activists began their march from Union Square to Washington Square Park, gathering beneath the iconic George Washington arch. Chanting “Hey, hey, ho, ho, Elon Musk has got to go,” they showcased a variety of signs, with many expressing concerns about Musk and DOGE.

The New York Police Department estimated the turnout to exceed 10,000 participants.

Victoria, a 37-year-old educator, held a sign stating “Stop the coup,” reflecting remarks made by Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes to The Guardian on Monday, where she asserted, “In the U.S., we contest decisions we disagree with; we don’t overlook court rulings or threaten judges with impeachment simply because we dislike the outcome. This is a coup, plain and simple.”

 “This isn’t merely a disagreement with Republican policies,” Victoria said, dressed warmly against the chilly winds that swept through the city, where the sun shone but temperatures hovered around 32°F. “It’s about the fact that Trump has handed fiscal authority to Elon Musk, an unelected figure.”

As music played and chants filled the air, a 39-year-old small business owner named Corwin remarked on Musk’s role, stating, “His conflicting interests are evident, and it’s apparent that his anti-regulatory stance serves his personal and financial interests.”

Musk has been targeting various regulatory agencies for cuts or eliminations, affecting industries in which his companies are operational. Earlier in the month, he expressed a desire to eliminate the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, which would oversee X’s anticipated entry into the financial services arena, posting on his social media platform X “CFBP RIP,” accompanied by a tombstone emoji. He has also indicated plans to challenge the Federal Aviation Administration – an agency he has previously clashed with that regulates SpaceX – and he has advocated for repealing regulations requiring automakers to report crashes involving autonomous driving technology.

Musk’s initiatives at the federal level have impacted Tesla’s public perception. During the automaker’s Q4 2024 earnings call, analyst Thomas Monteiro from Investing.com highlighted that buzz around Tesla is diminishing, citing among other factors, “significant brand devaluation.”

Numerous reports of Tesla owners selling their vehicles have surfaced as a statement against Musk’s corporate actions. Certain Cybertruck owners have also recounted experiences of vandalism and harassment. Tesla’s sales have seen a downturn in Europe, further exacerbated by intensified competition and a lackluster product lineup, especially following an incident during Musk’s gesture at the presidential inauguration that many interpreted as a Nazi salute. The Polish sports and tourism minister, Slawomir Nitras, has even called for a boycott of Tesla, while several companies in Germany have terminated their contracts with Tesla in response to Musk’s political affiliations.