On his very first day in the White House, Trump moved to limit birthright citizenship (a ruling that has since been temporarily blocked by the courts). He also overhauled immigration and asylum policies, initiated the U.S. withdrawal from the World Health Organization and the Paris Climate Agreement, and suspended international aid through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).

Trump also announced his readiness to escalate trade wars with Canada, Mexico, and China, banned transgender athletes from competing in women’s sports, made it harder for transgender minors to access transition-related healthcare, and declared that the U.S. government would recognize only two genders — male and female. His foreign policy actions were no less striking, including a controversial statement that the U.S. was prepared to “take control” of the Gaza Strip.

At the same time, Trump’s administration saw the creation of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), a new agency led by SpaceX and Tesla CEO Elon Musk. With broad powers granted to this department, many critics see it as a significant consolidation of executive authority.

In response to these developments, a grassroots movement known as Movement 50501 (50 protests, 50 states, one day) emerged on social media. Using hashtags like #BuildTheResistance and #50501, the movement has called on Americans to stand up for democracy, which they believe is under direct threat from Trump and his administration. Supporters argue that Trump is executing a plan developed by his allies, known as “Project 2025” — a project that, according to CNN, Trump himself has repeatedly claimed to know nothing about.

Protests across the country have continued, with photos from the February 5th demonstrations circulating widely on social media as a testament to the growing opposition.