West Virginia (WCHS) — People protested in West Virginia on Saturday as part of the Hands-Off! national rally against President Donald Trump’s administration.
Hundreds gathered outside the West Virginia Capitol in Charleston and the Cabell County Courthouse in Huntington to protest Trump’s policies, particularly the administration’s targeting of diversity, equity, and inclusion, as well as cuts to federal agencies and programs directed by multibillionaire and tech magnate Elon Musk.
“I think we’re just here because we’re fed up with this system right now,” a Charleston protester, Jess Hinckson, said. “It is not working for anyone but the billionaires, and we are now living in an oligarchy.” But I believe that coming from where we come, Appalachia fights.”
Since taking office in February, Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency has cut funding and personnel for programs such as the United States Agency for International Development, the Department of Veteran Affairs, and the Agency for Global Media, among others.
The DOGE cuts have had a direct impact on the state, as more than 100 federal employees lost their jobs at the National Treasury offices in Parkersburg in February, sparking protests outside the building.
“This is a nationwide mobilization to stop the most brazen power grab in modern history,” reads a statement on the Hands Off! website. “Trump, Musk, and their billionaire cronies are orchestrating an all-out assault on our government, our economy, and our basic rights—enabled by Congress every step of the way.”
The cuts have faced several challenges, with federal courts ruling that Musk and DOGE lacked the constitutional authority to defend federal agencies before proceeding.
According to the Hands Off 2025 website, protests were held throughout the state on Saturday, including in Morgantown, Fairmont, Charlestown, Lewisburg, Keyser, Wheeling, Clarksburg, Elkins, and Fayetteville. The organization plans to hold another round of nationwide protests on May 1 as part of the May Day 2025.
