Recent Trump Policies are Sparking Protests Around the Nation

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As President Trump has spent his first days in power signing laws and executive orders, many people around the nation have resorted to using protests to fight back. Many of his new actions have been criticized by Republicans and Democrats, politicians and citizens, and everyone else worldwide. 

Immigration Control/ICE Raids

Immigration control was on Trump’s campaign during the 2024 election and was one of the key goals people voted for. It was a part of his campaign to “carry out the largest domestic deportation operation in American history.” He promised to go after the heavily immigrant American communities by targeting immigrants in this country and sending them home. 

The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE, took to the streets, even in Eastside San Jose. Protests have been organized to rally against the raids targeting our communities, such as organizing events in Sacramento and Alum Rock. High school students have also rallied their peers during school hours to protest. More famously, people took over highways in Los Angeles, hanging Mexican flags, bringing signs, and coming together in large groups. 

​​Reuters Photography from Mass Protests in Los Angeles has photographs of the protest.

Cutting Ukraine’s Aid

Donald Trump had claimed in a meeting with Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy that they would be removing and stopping the sending of military aid to the country. Trump berated Zelenskyy in the Oval Office with Vice President JD Vance, claiming the Ukrainian president started the war against Russia and is a dictator. With the conclusion of that meeting, Trump ceased military aid to Ukraine in favor of Russia’s President Putin. This aid included billions of dollars, weapons, and intelligence. 

The “Justice for Ukraine” rallies have been seen all over the nation. After the infamous meeting in the Oval Office, outraged people have flooded the Bay Area, Santa Monica, Chicago, Times Square, New York and many more places. Protesters are fighting for peace and justice as the war rages on, with many signs calling out Trump on his allegations about Zelenskyy being a dictator and instead claiming the real dictator is President Putin of Russia.  

Nathan Hanson, a photographer on Instagram, posted his photographs of the Ukraine protest in Beverly Hills. 

Tariff Acts

Although Trump’s tariffs are not sparking public protests, social media has been flooded with controversies about the new act. Trump has issued three executive orders to place 25 percent tariffs on Canada and Mexico and 10 percent on China. There are many misconceptions about this development. Many believe that tariffs will force the taxed country to pay when, in fact, the tariffs are ultimately paid by consumers by hiking up prices.