IN PHOTOS: Federal workers protest mass layoffs and funding cuts in Washington

Updated On: 20 February, 2025 12:25 PM IST | Anisha Shrivastava

Protestors gathered outside SpaceX headquarters in Washington, DC, to oppose US President Donald Trump’s policies and Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). The Trump administration has directed senior military leaders to prepare for budget cuts that could reduce defence spending by eight per cent annually, amounting to approximately $290 billion over five years. (PICS/AFP) 

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<div>Demonstrators at the "Fund Don’t Freeze" rally outside the Health and Human Services headquarters called for the reversal of funding cuts to medical research, science, and education. Federal workers and their supporters marched through Washington, DC, to protest widespread job losses and funding freezes across multiple agencies.</div>

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Demonstrators at the "Fund Don’t Freeze" rally outside the Health and Human Services headquarters called for the reversal of funding cuts to medical research, science, and education. Federal workers and their supporters marched through Washington, DC, to protest widespread job losses and funding freezes across multiple agencies.

<div>One hundred activists blocked traffic in front of the SpaceX office, condemning Musk’s role in government restructuring and the impact of mass layoffs. Former National Park Service employee Tiffany Montes described her abrupt dismissal as “heartbreaking,” having lost her dream job in historic preservation.</div>

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One hundred activists blocked traffic in front of the SpaceX office, condemning Musk’s role in government restructuring and the impact of mass layoffs. Former National Park Service employee Tiffany Montes described her abrupt dismissal as “heartbreaking,” having lost her dream job in historic preservation.

<div>Ethan LoCicero, a former Department of Energy employee, criticised the administration’s approach to layoffs, arguing that essential programmes like ARPA-E should not have been affected. Federal workers warned that cuts to key positions would disrupt national services, including Social Security and the maintenance of public parks.</div>

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Ethan LoCicero, a former Department of Energy employee, criticised the administration’s approach to layoffs, arguing that essential programmes like ARPA-E should not have been affected. Federal workers warned that cuts to key positions would disrupt national services, including Social Security and the maintenance of public parks.

<div>Rally participant Paul Osadebe urged his colleagues to resist the “culture of fear” created by the administration and to stand together in solidarity. Many demonstrators expressed concern over the long-term consequences of mass redundancies, fearing instability in essential government services.</div>

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Rally participant Paul Osadebe urged his colleagues to resist the “culture of fear” created by the administration and to stand together in solidarity. Many demonstrators expressed concern over the long-term consequences of mass redundancies, fearing instability in essential government services.

<p>The protestors pledged to continue their resistance by lobbying Congress, aiming to influence lawmakers through personal testimonies. Campaigners stressed the importance of a stable and fair government, calling for the protection of jobs that contribute to public welfare and national development.</p>

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The protestors pledged to continue their resistance by lobbying Congress, aiming to influence lawmakers through personal testimonies. Campaigners stressed the importance of a stable and fair government, calling for the protection of jobs that contribute to public welfare and national development.

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IN PHOTOS: Federal workers protest mass layoffs and funding cuts in Washington

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Photo of Day

Bliss by the beach