Over 1,000 Houston residents gathered at City Hall to protest government overreach and federal budget cuts. The demonstration was prompted by President Trump's policies, including executive orders and funding reductions that have impacted various federal departments, according to Click2Houston.
Over 5,200 probationary employees at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services are being laid off, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is losing $11 billion in funding for COVID-19 response efforts. The Department of Education has cut $600 million in grants, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture has reduced food bank assistance by $500 million. The Houston Food Bank and other organizations are preparing for the impact of these cuts. Kristina Pham, co-founder of 5051 Houston, said, "We gather everyone here today so that we can connect together, get to know each other better and get them connected to our mutual aid—our Houston Food Bank, Food Not Bombs, and more need help," as reported by Click2Houston.
James Pressler, a Republican strategist, supports the Trump administration’s efforts to reduce federal spending, arguing it could lead to a more efficient government and better management of federal programs. He also advocates for stricter immigration policies. In contrast, many citizens have expressed concerns about these policies. Theresa Courts, a high school counselor, shared her concerns about the impact of immigration policies on students, stating, "I’m tired of seeing the fear in my students’ faces with everything that’s going on around. They should be able to go to class and focus on their academics, not worry about the politics and the hate and everything that’s going on," as mentioned by KHOU. Over 800 protests were held nationwide, reflecting widespread public concern about the administration’s policies.
