In a fiery show of defiance, tens of thousands took to the streets across the United States and Europe on Saturday, unleashing the largest wave of anti-Trump protests since his return to the White House.

From Washington’s National Mall to New York, Los Angeles, and London, demonstrators railed against Donald Trump’s aggressive downsizing of the government, crackdown on civil liberties and global trade wars.

The demonstrations were organized by a broad coalition of progressive groups under the banner “Hands Off,” with events held in over 1,000 locations across the US and even in parts of Europe. Issues cited by protestors ranged from government downsizing, civil liberties concerns, and abortion rights, to fears of economic instability due to aggressive trade measures.

In Washington, a large crowd gathered at the National Mall, with speakers from across the country criticizing what they described as a dangerous and authoritarian shift in American politics. Representative Jamie Raskin, who played a key role in Trump’s second impeachment, addressed the demonstrators, warning against a “dictator who knows the price of everything and the value of nothing.”

In New York, protestor Shaina Kesner criticized the leadership as privileged and unaccountable. Meanwhile, demonstrators in Los Angeles used creative symbolism, including dressing as characters from The Handmaid’s Tale to protest restrictive reproductive laws.

Across the Atlantic, rallies in cities such as London and Berlin echoed the disapproval. Protestors called out Trump’s foreign policies and his approach to global trade. In Berlin, one retiree went as far as to label Trump a “lunatic,” while others in London warned of global economic fallout.

One common thread across all protests was concern over the perceived erosion of civil rights and increasing authoritarian tendencies. Protestors warned against the jailing of opponents, attacks on immigrants, and pressure on democratic institutions. “We’re out here to stop the, honestly, fascism,” said Dominic Santella in Boston.

The economic direction under Trump also drew criticism. Many blamed his trade tariffs and diplomatic confrontations for market instability and international strain.

Despite the scale of the protests and dropping approval ratings, the White House has largely dismissed the unrest. President Trump remained defiant, stating, “My policies will never change,” reaffirming his stance on key issues.

On the occasion of the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) foundation day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi reflected on the party’s transformative journey from modest beginnings to securing historic electoral mandates.

In a message to the nation, PM Modi underlined the consistent endorsement the BJP has received from the people of India, attributing it to the party’s agenda of good governance.

The prime minister extended his greetings to BJP workers across the country, acknowledging their pivotal role in shaping the party. “This important day makes us reiterate our unparalleled commitment to India’s progress and to realising the dream of a Viksit Bharat,” he said in a series of social media posts.

Modi emphasized that the BJP’s track record in governance has been instrumental in building public trust. “The people of India are seeing the good governance agenda of our party, reflected in the historic mandates we’ve received — be it in Lok Sabha, state Assembly, or local body elections,” he said.

Praising the grassroots efforts of BJP workers, Modi said their relentless service, especially towards the poor and marginalized, is a source of inspiration. “Their energy and enthusiasm are truly motivating,” he added.

Founded in 1980 from the remnants of the Bharatiya Jana Sangh, the BJP initially had a modest presence, contesting its first general election in 1984 and winning only two Lok Sabha seats. However, under the leadership of figures like Atal Bihari Vajpayee and L.K. Advani, the party quickly gained traction, eventually forming the government in the 1990s. The BJP’s political dominance strengthened significantly under Modi, who led the party to a full majority in 2014 and has remained at the helm since then.

Union Health Minister and BJP president JP Nadda on Saturday took a swipe at former Delhi Chief Minister and AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal, saying that pressing the correct button on the EVM during an election results in receiving medicine, while an incorrect choice leads to liquor instead.

Speaking at the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) launch in Delhi, Nadda brutally needled Kejriwal, saying, “The fingers of the people hold immense strength. Press the right button, and schemes like Ayushman Bharat Yojana are introduced, bringing healthcare to millions. Press the wrong button, and you end up with liquor distribution instead of medicine.”

His taunts were a veiled criticism of Kejriwal’s administration, which he accused of neglecting healthcare in favour of populist measures.

The launch marked a new chapter for Delhi, as the BJP-led Delhi government signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Centre to implement the flagship health insurance scheme. This makes Delhi the 35th state or Union Territory to adopt AB-PMJAY, with West Bengal remaining the only region yet to join the initiative.

Nadda emphasised the scheme’s importance, calling it “not just an insurance plan, but an assurance of trust” under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership.

The BJP president noted that in 2020-21, the central government allocated ₹60,000 crore for health infrastructure nationwide, of which Delhi received ₹2,000 crore. However, he accused the then Kejriwal government of opposing the scheme for a decade, even filing a court case to block its implementation in Delhi.

“They deprived Delhi’s people of this benefit and then shamelessly blamed the Central Government for their failures,” Nadda charged.

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, who attended the event, described the day as “historic” for the capital. “With Ayushman Bharat Yojana now in place, lakhs of eligible families will access free treatment. We are also enhancing healthcare infrastructure by building 24 new hospitals, adding 17,000 beds, and launching 400 Ayushman Arogya Mandirs,” she said.

Gupta added that approximately 6.54 lakh families in Delhi would now be covered under the scheme, receiving up to ₹5 lakh annually from the Centre, with an additional ₹5 lakh top-up from the Delhi government, totaling ₹10 lakh in health coverage per family.

The Ayushman Bharat scheme offers free and cashless treatment for 1,961 medical procedures across 27 specialties, including medicines, diagnostics, hospitalization, ICU care, and surgeries. Nadda also claimed that the scheme ensures cancer treatment begins within 30 days nationwide, underscoring its life-saving potential.

The MoU was signed in the presence of Nadda, Gupta, and other officials from the National Health Authority, signalling a collaborative effort to prioritise healthcare in Delhi. Nadda reiterated that under Modi’s vision, the welfare of Delhi’s residents remains a top priority, ensuring accessible and quality medical services for all.