Protests Against Elon Musk’s Leadership of DOGE Are Growing Worldwide and Raising Concerns
Why It Concerns Me and What This Means for All of Us
Here is a version for Medium readers and another for my blog readers for further visibility and engagement.
Today, I’d like to discuss how Elon Musk’s leadership of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) is sparking global protests, polarizing opinions, and raising urgent questions about influence, transparency, and democracy.
As of April 1, 2025, in my time of writing this short post, the protests targeting Elon Musk’s role in the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) are intensifying, both in the United States and abroad.
This movement is expanding, with many people expressing concerns about Musk’s influence over the government’s restructuring and DOGE’s aggressive measures involving agencies and jobs.
What is DOGE?
For those unfamiliar with the concept and the practice, “DOGE’s mission is to reduce government spending by addressing what Musk describes as excessive costs in federal departments and agencies. The initiative also aims to identify and reduce instances of fraud, waste, and inefficiency.” I extracted this from an educational story of Dr Mehmet Yildiz titled I Summarized My Findings of DOGE, So You Don’t Have to Waste Your Time in Noise.
An Overview of Ongoing Protests
I have been following the topic via mainstream and social media raising concerns globally.
The “Tesla Takedown Global Day of Action” on March 29, 2025, marked a new level of activity. Reports indicate that more than 200 protests occurred across the United States, Canada, and Europe.
Cities like San Francisco, Seattle, London, and Berlin saw large gatherings near Tesla dealerships, where demonstrators voiced their discontent with Musk’s DOGE leadership.
Some protesters called for Musk to step down from his position, while others encouraged Tesla owners to sell their vehicles and stock. This effort appears to reflect frustration with what some view as Musk’s disproportionate power over federal restructuring decisions.
In Rockville, Maryland, over 400 people gathered on March 28 to raise concerns about the broader implications of policies tied to Musk and the Trump administration.
Meanwhile, New York City has seen ongoing demonstrations near Tesla showrooms, with some protesters describing DOGE’s actions as an “oligarchical takeover” of government functions.
However, not all protests have remained peaceful. Reports of vandalism and arson have emerged since late March, with at least 80 incidents involving Tesla vehicles documented, including a high-profile case in Las Vegas where cars were set on fire with the word “RESIST” spray-painted at the scene.
The FBI has responded by urging Tesla dealerships and properties connected to Musk to be on high alert, acknowledging the possibility of further attacks.
Musk’s response has been direct. On March 30, 2025, he posted on X, demanding that those funding the protests be arrested and describing the demonstrators as “puppets and paid foot-soldiers.”
This statement follows his earlier dismissal of the protests in February as “fake” and financially backed by “corrupt NGOs,” although he has not provided evidence to support these claims.
At the same time, the White House maintains that DOGE’s actions align with President Trump’s broader mandate, despite legal challenges. A recent court ruling temporarily blocked DOGE’s attempt to dismantle the Social Security Administration’s systems on March 20, 2025, citing constitutional concerns.
Internationally, the protests have expanded to include cities throughout Europe. In these places, Tesla dealerships have become symbols of Musk’s perceived influence, sparking demonstrations focused on his access to government data and actions like the closure of agencies such as USAID.
Sentiment on X remains polarized. While some users decry the violence and destruction of property, others amplify calls for resistance against Musk’s leadership of DOGE. This divide makes it clear that the conversation around Musk’s involvement in government restructuring is far from settled.
Why This Concerns Me
I am not just watching this story unfold as a detached observer. This situation touches on broader questions that have always concerned me — questions about power, influence, and who truly benefits from drastic governmental changes. As someone deeply invested in how leaders shape our world, I wonder:
When a person with unprecedented wealth and technological influence plays a central role in restructuring the government, what safeguards ensure transparency and accountability?
Can we really separate Musk’s commercial interests from his role in DOGE, or are these two realms inevitably intertwined in ways that could compromise public welfare?
What does it mean for democracy when decision-making power increasingly resides with individuals who have not been elected?
For me, this is not only about Musk or DOGE. It is about the systems we trust to uphold fairness, justice, and meaningful progress. One of my biggest takeaways is that even the most innovative minds, when placed in positions of power, require scrutiny and accountability.
This story also brings up a deeper, perhaps uncomfortable, question: How much power are we willing to place in the hands of individuals who excel at building empires but whose visions may not align with the needs of the wider public?
More interestingly “Data privacy experts call DOGE actions ‘alarming’” which is another can of worms.
The key takeaway here is recognizing that the question is not whether Musk’s leadership is good or bad but whether we have a framework that ensures his decisions serve everyone’s interests, not just those who align with his vision.
This is a conversation worth having, and I believe it is one we need to approach with both clarity, curiosity, and open mind.
What is your take on these protests?
Selected References to Give You an Idea on This Development
Protests against Elon Musk’s purge of US government swarm Tesla showrooms
Fighting Elon Musk, One Tesla Dealership at a Time
“This man is not our boss” — EPA workers rally against DOGE cuts
The Proud Boys and Militias Come to Tesla’s Defense
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One concern I have, shared by many in the US where I live, is that if Musk, and by extension, Trump, were genuinely committed to reducing the size of the national government, such an initiative would necessitate careful analysis, deliberate planning and sustained dialogue and negotiation publicly. Without this level of rigor, attempts at rapid or unilateral downsizing risk undermining essential public services, destabilizing institutions and eroding public trust and this is exactly what we are seeing. When approached thoughtfully, however, such efforts could lead to meaningful and constructive reform. But that is not what the powers that be are interested in.
Thanks for addressing this important situation, Mike. It is really concerning for everyone.