On Saturday, protesters gathered outside a Tesla dealership in Columbus, Ohio, voicing strong opposition to Elon Musk and the Trump administration’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
The demonstration, organized by the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO) and various grassroots groups, aimed to draw attention to what they see as threats to Americans’ data privacy, health and safety rights, wages, and essential government services.
The Protest Movement Gains Momentum
The protests, spearheaded by Rick Neal, a former Biden campaign staffer and 2018 congressional candidate, began shortly after President Trump’s inauguration. Initially, only a few demonstrators attended.
However, as concerns over DOGE’s actions grew, the protests swelled, with over 150 people joining the demonstration last Saturday.
Neal, who also served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Southeast Asia and Central Africa, passionately spoke about his motivation:
“Abraham Lincoln had a vision: government of, by, and for the people. We don’t want a government for Trump, by Musk, and of the tech lords—we want a government for us.”
Neal also criticized DOGE’s involvement in dismantling agencies like USAID, expressing his deep concern for the humanitarian vacuum created by these cuts.
Voices from the Protest: Defending Health, Education, and Democracy
The protest brought together a diverse group of individuals united by shared concerns about DOGE’s policies and Musk’s influence on federal operations:
Sally Saliga – A Healthcare Advocate
A former nurse from Washington Courthouse, Saliga drove two hours to join the protest, highlighting the dangers of cutting funding to the National Institutes of Health (NIH):
“The NIH is on the cusp of great developments in Alzheimer’s research. If this funding is cut, it could set us back 20 years.”
Betsy O’Brochta – A Retired Educator’s Concerns
A retired K-4 teacher from Upper Arlington, O’Brochta joined the protest out of concern for her granddaughter’s future:
“I care about democracy and our Constitution. I am heartbroken that my granddaughter’s rights might be fewer than mine were.”
She also worries that cutting educational funding and limiting diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts could weaken the quality of education.
Steve Kretzer – Fighting for Democracy
Columbus resident Steve Kretzer, owner of Industry Insights, views Musk as a “chaos agent” whose erratic management style threatens democratic values:
“This philosophy of firing first, then figuring out later, is undemocratic and un-American.”
Kretzer emphasized the importance of young people becoming politically active to protect democracy and push for equity.
Why Are Protesters Concerned About DOGE?
The Department of Government Efficiency, backed by Musk’s influence, has taken aggressive steps to:
- Cut funding for critical services like USAID and the NIH
- Slash federal workforce numbers
- Eliminate support for diversity and inclusion initiatives
Critics argue that these moves threaten vital public services, weaken democratic institutions, and disproportionately harm marginalized communities.
