Photos: 400 Strong Rally Against Elon Musk and Trump in Downtown Tucson

In a notable display of dissatisfaction, hundreds marched through Downtown Tucson on Tuesday evening, brandishing upside-down American flags as a symbol of distress. The protest commenced at Armory Park, progressing along South 6th Avenue, before turning at Congress Street and navigating through Veinte de Agosto Park, ultimately culminating at El Presidio Plaza in front of Tucson City Hall.

This march is part of a series of demonstrations over the past few weeks in Tucson, addressing various concerns, from the dismissal of federal employees to the cessation of funding for USAID. Protesters have also voiced opposition to multiple executive orders from President Donald Trump that aim to expedite deportations. Demonstrations have not been confined to the city; similar gatherings occurred at the Arizona Capitol and other locations, including a Tesla dealership and Saguaro National Park.

During the protest, speakers gathered around a fountain, advocating for workers’ rights and expressing solidarity with Ukraine. They criticized Elon Musk’s role as head of the Department of Government Efficiency—often referred to as “DOGE,” a name derived from a cryptocurrency joke embraced by the Trump administration. Many participants passionately called for continued U.S. support for Ukraine, particularly in light of President Trump’s directive to “pause” around $180 million in military assistance, a move seen as an attempt to coerce Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy into negotiations with Russia.

This strategy echoes previous controversies surrounding Trump’s administration, notably his impeachment over a similar situation involving military aid and Biden. Republican supporters, including U.S. Rep. Juan Ciscomani, have expressed approval of DOGE’s initiatives, in stark contrast to criticism from Senators Mark Kelly and Ruben Gallego, along with U.S. Rep. Raúl Grijalva.

Since Trump’s inauguration on January 20, Musk has collaborated with a select DOGE team, tasked with evaluating and, in some instances, dismantling the functions of various federal agencies. Their actions have included assuming control of the Office of Personnel Management and the General Services Administration while gaining access to the Treasury Department’s payment system. Additionally, they have canceled data contracts with the Department of Education, which appears to be in the crosshairs for further cuts.

Musk, recognized as the world’s richest individual and owner of X/Twitter and Tesla, has labeled USAID as “criminal.” The Trump administration has indicated intentions to dissolve the agency and reallocate its remaining responsibilities to the State Department, following USAID’s investigation into potential corrupt practices related to Starlink’s operations abroad.

However, some of DOGE’s initiatives have faced legal challenges, with federal courts temporarily blocking certain efforts, including access to the Treasury’s payment system and the disbanding of USAID.