TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - Rep. Chip LaMarca (R-Lighthouse Point) questioned the commotion on Wednesday as hundreds of people gathered at the state capitol to protest against President Donald Trump and Tesla Founder Elon Musk.
"I was curious why there were people protesting in front of our Florida Capitol yesterday. Then I realized it was because they were upset that we were cutting the cost of government (in Washington, DC!). Please read that again," LaMarca said.
The protest, which brought about 300 people to Tallahassee, focused on a litany of Trump's second-term initiatives and possible plans, including protections for illegal immigrants, LGBTQ rights, reproductive rights, the environment, and his recent threat to remove Palestinians and take over the Gaza Strip.
Protestors also criticized Elon Musk, who's seen as an unelected advisor by Democrats in implementing Donald Trump's agenda.
The billionaire was tapped to lead the administration's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), which intends to eliminate government bureaucracy by cutting wasteful and fraudulent spending, as well as removing excessive regulations.
"If we cut the cost of government, it means you will have more money in your pocket. By the way, 40,000 Federal workers have decided to take the Sept buyout. PS: We have been paying off debt and cutting the cost of government in Florida for decades!" LaMarca added.
In addition, protestors zeroed in on Project 2025, a conservative playbook written by The Heritage Foundation. The agenda, often linked to Trump by Democrats, is essentially a blueprint on how to shape the future of government and society.
Trump often distanced himself from Project 2025 and routinely said he had nothing to do with it on the campaign trail. Democrats say otherwise and have continued to paint him with it.
The Tallahassee protest was part of a larger nationwide effort to combat the Trump administration's agenda under the hashtags #buildtheresistance and #50501, which stands for 50 protests, 50 states, one day.
However, national protests appear to be much more subdued this time around compared to Trump's first term in office... for now.
