Protesters in cities across the U.S. rally against Trump’s policies, Project 2025, Elon Musk

Demonstrators gathered in cities across the U.S. on Wednesday to protest the Trump administration’s early actions, decrying everything from the President’s immigration crackdown to his rollback of transgender rights and a proposal to forcibly transfer Palestinians from the Gaza Strip. Protesters in Philadelphia and at State capitols in California, Minnesota, Michigan, Texas, Wisconsin, Indiana and beyond waved signs denouncing President Donald Trump; billionaire Elon Musk, the leader of Mr. Trump’s new Department of Government Efficiency; and Project 2025, a hard-right playbook for American government and society. “I’m appalled by democracy’s changes in the last, well, specifically two weeks — but it started a long time ago,” Margaret Wilmeth said at a protest outside the Statehouse in Columbus, Ohio. Websites and accounts across social media issued calls for action, with messages such as “reject fascism” and “defend our democracy.” Outside the State Capitol in Lansing, Michigan, a crowd of hundreds gathered in freezing temperatures. Kay Ivey promised to sign legislation declaring that there are only two sexes, male and female — echoing Mr. Trump’s recent executive order for the federal government to define sex as only male or female.