ST. LOUIS – Protests broke out Wednesday in St. Louis and across the country over the Trump administration’s recent cuts to the federal government. 

Current and former federal workers—joined by labor organizers and others— rallied against the Department of Government Efficiency, also referred to as DOGE.

The St. Louis Democratic Socialists of America held a “Fund, don’t Freeze” rally. Dozens of individuals demonstrated in front of the Department of Veterans Affairs on Grand Avenue. Demonstrators chanted and held signs as temperatures hovered around single digitsWednesday evening.

Demonstrators said the perception that federal workers have not been doing their jobs, whether remotely or in person, is inaccurate. 

Michael Trapp, co-chair of the St. Louis Democratic Socialists of America, feels that Trump and Musk—billionaires themselves—don’t actually care about the average worker or taxpayer.

“If they cared about saving money, they’d go to the pentagon. That’s where all the money is,” Trapp said. “This is just an attempt to kneecap the working class.”

Blue Ehrenstrom, a federal worker themselves, said the layoffs have hurt all workers. 

“It doesn’t just hurt us; it hurts every worker. Because if there is no model workplace, the standards just get lower, and lower, and lower,” Ehrenstrom said.

Republicans, meanwhile, argue these cuts have been a long time coming. 

Senator Josh Hawley (R-MO) weighed in on the protests before they took place Wednesday.

“You can walk down the streets of Washington D.C. and look at all these federal buildings that taxpayers are paying for, and you’ll find that the lights are off, and the offices are empty. So, they must not be that essential,” Hawley said.

Hawley believes the cuts are long overdue.

“What that will mean is more money that can be directed where it should go, which is to the American taxpayer and to the working people of Missouri,” Hawley said.

Other DOGE protests were held across the country Wednesday, including in front of the Department of Health and Human Service’s headquarters in D.C.

Republicans in congress and the White House insist President Trump has the authority to make these cuts. They also insist the president, and not Musk, has the final say.

Both President Trump and Musk have said more cuts are coming to other agencies soon, including to the Department of Defense.