Credit: Adam Fagen/Flickr

'Hands off': Protesters rally nationwide to defend democracy, public health, and climate action

In the largest coordinated protests since Trump’s budget cuts began, Americans across all 50 states took to the streets to push back against what they see as a dismantling of democratic institutions and threats to public health and well-being.

Liza Gross and Christine Spolar report for Inside Climate News.

In short:

Protesters in cities nationwide, led by diverse coalitions that included Indivisible, MoveOn, and Third Act, spoke out against federal cuts to public health programs, environmental protections, and scientific research.
Many demonstrators shared personal stories of hardship, including job losses tied to canceled Food and Drug Administration audits and retirement savings devastated by Trump-era tariffs and deregulation.
Climate activists emphasized the need to make polluters pay for the rising costs of disasters, while health professionals warned that cuts to Medicare and Medicaid threaten millions.

Key quote:

“Health care is not just about medical treatment, it’s also about the world we live in and the support systems we all rely on.”

— Cathy Kennedy, president of National Nurses United

Why this matters:

Across the country, from Washington, D.C. to frigid town squares in Montana to sun-baked sidewalks in Phoenix, Americans showed up with signs, songs, and one loud, clear demand: Keep your hands off our country. It was a reminder that while politicians and their billionaire donors may seek to control the message, a country of people who still believe in the power of collective action remain a force to be reckoned with.

New Trump-era EPA move could let polluters dodge toxic air rules

A new U.S. Environmental Protection Agency policy under the Trump administration may allow chemical giants to sidestep rules that limit mercury, benzene, and other hazardous pollutants — with big consequences for public health.

Matthew Daly reports for the Associated Press.

In short:

Industry groups representing ExxonMobil, Dow, Chevron, and hundreds of other chemical and petrochemical makers are lobbying the EPA for blanket exemptions from air pollution rules, citing high costs and “unworkable” timelines.
The EPA, now led by Lee Zeldin, has set up what environmental groups have called a “polluters’ portal” — an email inbox where companies can request two-year exemptions from nine Biden-era environmental rules.
Environmental groups warn that this loophole could result in increased exposure to pollutants known to cause cancer, asthma, and birth defects, especially in children.

Key quote:

“There is no basis in U.S. clean air laws — and in decency — for this absolute free pass to pollute.”

— Vickie Patton, general counsel, Environmental Defense Fund

Why this matters:

This policy could open the floodgates to more cancer-causing fumes, more neurotoxins in kids’ bodies, and more birth defects — especially in the communities that already bear the brunt of pollution. It's one in a series of major regulatory rollbacks that Zeldin has announced that have major implications for public health and well-being.

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'Hands off': Protesters rally nationwide to defend democracy, public health, and climate action

New Trump-era EPA move could let polluters dodge toxic air rules

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“We cannot stand by and allow this to happen. We need to hold this administration accountable.”

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