Protesting recent federal cuts and ideologies, more than 150 locals gathered in downtown Sequim on Tuesday, March 4 during President Donald Trump’s congressional address in Washington, D.C.

Gathered at the corners and sidewalks by the Sequim Civic Center on West Cedar Street, protesters, many with Indivisible Sequim, held signs advocating against Trump and X/Twitter owner Elon Musk.

Signs expressed support for Ukraine in its fight with Russia, and for federal employees who were fired/laid off in recent cuts. They also opposed proposed budget cutbacks of programs such as Medicaid.

Michelle Jones of Sequim participated in the rally saying she is a caregiver for her disabled daughter and that “any cuts to Medicaid would impact us deeply.”

News outlets report a house budget resolution calls for at least $880 billion in cuts over 10 years with much of that believed to come from the reduction of Medicaid.

Protesters often referenced Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), questioning its constitutionality, and how much reach and access his team has to various agencies.

“Elon’s wreckage is very concerning,” Jones said. “He has unchecked power.”

Husband-and-wife Dwight Cinder and Pam Winn of Sequim were at the rally saying they felt a need to attend.

“With the current situation, we have to speak up,” Cinder said.

Winn said Musk’s actions through DOGE to “chainsaw through civil services are done without thought or care.”

Totals of DOGE cutbacks vary from national sources with Musk setting a goal now to find $1 trillion in savings in the federal government.

“Trimming down a budget is one thing but how it’s being done is hurtful to people,” Winn said.

Alex Fane, a co-organizer of the rally, said locals are protesting what they see as an “unconstitutional coup.”

“The president is running roughshod over our constitution and Elon Musk is causing havoc,” he said.

Fane said there have been federal workers laid off participating in local rallies along with those concerned about cutbacks to Medicaid, social security and Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT).

“Our goal is to hold the line for the best of what Sequim is and can be,” he said. “We want to build community.”

Fane said Indivisible Sequim continues to host monthly meetings with guest speakers, and more information is available via newsletters at indivisiblesequim.org.

Sequim Gazette photo by Matthew Nash/ Locals gathered on March 4 to oppose federal cuts to local programs and staff, and proposed cuts to programs like Medicaid. Many also had signs in support of Ukraine in its fight against Russia.

Sequim Gazette photo by Matthew Nash/ Michelle Jones and Jill Sexton, both of Sequim, hold signs at a protest rally on March 4 in downtown Sequim. Jones said she has multiple concerns about the current presidential administration and that proposed cutbacks to Medicaid could impact her disabled daughter and her “deeply.”

Sequim Gazette photo by Matthew Nash/ Locals gathered on March 4 to oppose federal cuts to local programs and staff, and proposed cuts to programs like Medicaid. Many also had signs in support of Ukraine in its fight against Russia.

Sequim Gazette photo by Matthew Nash/ Michelle Zink of Sequim said she didn’t become political until Trump took office, and when asked what specifically prompted her, she said it was his demeanor and later felony convictions, and civil case where he was found liable for sexually abusing and defaming E. Jean Carroll.

Sequim Gazette photo by Matthew Nash/ Locals gathered on March 4 to oppose federal cuts to local programs and staff, and proposed cuts to programs like Medicaid. Many also had signs in support of Ukraine in its fight against Russia.