Mount Kisco, New York – Nearly 300 demonstrators gathered outside a Tesla showroom on Saturday to protest job cuts and program eliminations spearheaded by the newly established Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), led by billionaire Elon Musk under the direction of President Donald Trump. The protests reflect growing public frustration over what many see as an undemocratic shift in government control.
The demonstrators, holding signs and chanting anti-Trump and anti-Musk slogans, voiced concerns over Musk’s unelected influence on government decisions and the impact of DOGE’s aggressive budget cuts.
“We are losing our democracy in this country. Nobody voted for Elon Musk,” said protester Julie Ruben. “We don’t want to be ruled by billionaires or oligarchs. We need a democracy.”
Public Backlash Against DOGE’s Cost-Cutting Measures
The protest comes amid rising controversy surrounding DOGE, which the Trump administration claims has saved $55 billion in federal spending since Trump’s return to office. However, critics argue that these cuts are coming at a high cost, including:
- Elimination of essential government programs
- Massive layoffs across various federal agencies
- Potential risks to public services and social welfare programs
While protesters rallied outside the showroom, passing motorists honked their horns in support, signaling broader public dissatisfaction.
“People are fed up,” said protest organizer Dan Stoller. “It’s a quiet coup… The activist groups have banded together, and this shows what collective action can do.”
Calls for a Tesla Boycott
Beyond protesting DOGE’s policies, many demonstrators are also targeting Tesla, calling for a nationwide boycott of Musk’s businesses. Protesters argue that Musk’s growing influence on government policy through DOGE has blurred the lines between private enterprise and public governance.
The proposed boycott aims to:
- Pressure Musk to step down from his government advisory role
- Highlight the dangers of corporate overreach into government affairs
- Raise awareness of DOGE’s role in job losses and program cuts
What Is DOGE’s Role in the Federal Government?
Established by an executive order from President Trump on January 20, DOGE was created to:
- Cut government waste and overspending
- Streamline bureaucratic processes
- Eliminate what the administration calls “inefficient” federal programs
While the administration boasts of $55 billion in savings, critics argue that DOGE’s actions disproportionately affect:
- Low-income communities relying on federal assistance programs
- Government workers now facing mass layoffs
- Essential services like veterans’ benefits and healthcare programs
The Growing Political and Legal Battle
DOGE’s aggressive cost-cutting measures have not gone unchallenged:
- A coalition of 19 Democratic state attorneys general has filed lawsuits to limit DOGE’s authority.
- Federal judges have already blocked DOGE’s access to certain Treasury Department payment systems, citing privacy and security concerns.
- Union groups and civil rights organizations are mobilizing to challenge DOGE’s cuts, arguing they violate workers’ rights and undermine democracy.
What’s Next for DOGE and the Protests?
As public discontent grows, protests like the one in Mount Kisco are likely to spread nationwide. Activists are planning:
- A nationwide boycott campaign targeting Musk’s businesses
- Increased lobbying efforts aimed at Congressional oversight of DOGE
- Legal challenges to further restrict DOGE’s power over federal programs
“This isn’t just about job cuts,” said protester Julie Ruben. “It’s about who really holds power in our democracy—voters or billionaires.”
Meanwhile, the Trump administration continues to defend DOGE’s actions, claiming the cost-cutting measures are necessary to eliminate wasteful government spending and increase efficiency.
