Hundreds Rally at Texas Capitol on Presidents Day to Protest Project 2025, Elon Musk’s Influence

Hundreds of protesters gathered at the Texas Capitol on Presidents Day to voice opposition to Project 2025 and the growing influence of billionaire Elon Musk in the Trump administration. 

The demonstration was part of a nationwide movement targeting what activists describe as a systematic effort to dismantle federal agencies responsible for health, education, and human services. 

The protests, organized by progressive groups such as Indivisible, took place outside congressional offices and Tesla dealerships across the country, urging lawmakers to push back against what they see as an extreme agenda. 

At the Texas Capitol, demonstrators chanted, “Not my president” and “The people united will never be divided,” while also condemning Musk’s role in shaping government policies. 

Some protesters labeled Musk a “fascist” and criticized his involvement in the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), which the administration claims is modernizing federal operations. 

The anti-Musk protests have intensified amid reports that his team, with Trump’s backing, is attempting to downsize or even shut down entire federal agencies, including the U.S. Agency for International Development, the Department of Education, and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. 

Trump has defended the cuts, citing efforts to eliminate waste, while Musk has insisted that his reforms are necessary, despite acknowledging some missteps. Democratic leaders and progressive activists argue that these changes are devastating key public services. 

Firings at the Department of Veterans Affairs have reportedly impacted researchers focused on cancer treatment, opioid addiction, and prosthetic development. 

Additionally, more than 5,000 employees at the Department of Health and Human Services and a significant portion of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention workforce have been let go. 

Indivisible and other advocacy groups have vowed to sustain the protests, with Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders launching a national tour focused on economic inequality and Democratic National Committee Chair Ken Martin planning visits to Texas and other battleground states. 

As Democrats strategize ways to resist Trump and Musk’s sweeping changes, activists on the ground remain committed to pressuring lawmakers and mobilizing communities ahead of the next election cycle.