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AP PHOTOS: From Manhattan to Alaska, protesters rally against Trump and Musk

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AP PHOTOS: From Manhattan to Alaska, protesters rally against Trump and Musk
News

News

AP PHOTOS: From Manhattan to Alaska, protesters rally against Trump and Musk

2025-04-06 08:37 Last Updated At:08:42

Opponents of President Donald Trump and billionaire Elon Musk rallied across the U.S. to protest the administration’s actions on government downsizing, the economy, human rights and other issues.

Beth Maddox, of Calhoun, Ga., right, participates in a civil rights demonstrators, Saturday, April 5, 2025, in Rome, Ga. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)

Beth Maddox, of Calhoun, Ga., right, participates in a civil rights demonstrators, Saturday, April 5, 2025, in Rome, Ga. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)

Demonstrators hold up signs during a "Hands Off!" protest against President Donald Trump at the Washington Monument in Washington, Saturday, April 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)

Demonstrators hold up signs during a "Hands Off!" protest against President Donald Trump at the Washington Monument in Washington, Saturday, April 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)

Protestors hold signs as they take to the streets and march during a "Hands Off!" protest against President Donald Trump on Saturday, April 5, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Andres Kudacki)

Protestors hold signs as they take to the streets and march during a "Hands Off!" protest against President Donald Trump on Saturday, April 5, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Andres Kudacki)

A demonstrator dressed as the Statue of Liberty participates in the "Hands Off!" protests against President Donald Trump at the Washington Monument in Washington, Saturday, April 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)

A demonstrator dressed as the Statue of Liberty participates in the "Hands Off!" protests against President Donald Trump at the Washington Monument in Washington, Saturday, April 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)

Protesters carry signs and chant slogans against the policies of President Donald Trump and Elon Musk Saturday, April 5, 2025, in Miami. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)

Protesters carry signs and chant slogans against the policies of President Donald Trump and Elon Musk Saturday, April 5, 2025, in Miami. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)

Demonstrators hold a rally at the Pennsylvania state capitol in Harrisburg, Pa., during the "Hands Off!" national day of protest against the Trump Administration on Saturday, April 5, 2025. (Zach Gleiter/The Patriot-News via AP)

Demonstrators hold a rally at the Pennsylvania state capitol in Harrisburg, Pa., during the "Hands Off!" national day of protest against the Trump Administration on Saturday, April 5, 2025. (Zach Gleiter/The Patriot-News via AP)

Protesters form a human banner on Ocean Beach during a protest against President Donald Trump, part of the "Hands Off" rallies held nationwide, in San Francisco, Saturday, April 5, 2025. (Stephen Lam/San Francisco Chronicle via AP)

Protesters form a human banner on Ocean Beach during a protest against President Donald Trump, part of the "Hands Off" rallies held nationwide, in San Francisco, Saturday, April 5, 2025. (Stephen Lam/San Francisco Chronicle via AP)

A demonstrator carries a caricature of President Donald Trump during a "Hands Off!" protest against Trump on Saturday, April 5, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Andres Kudacki)

A demonstrator carries a caricature of President Donald Trump during a "Hands Off!" protest against Trump on Saturday, April 5, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Andres Kudacki)

Demonstrators carry signs during the "Hands Off!" protests against President Donald Trump and Elon Musk at the Washington Monument in Washington, Saturday, April 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)

Demonstrators carry signs during the "Hands Off!" protests against President Donald Trump and Elon Musk at the Washington Monument in Washington, Saturday, April 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)

Protestors hold signs as they take to the streets and march during a "Hands Off!" protest against President Donald Trump on Saturday, April 5, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Andres Kudacki)

Protestors hold signs as they take to the streets and march during a "Hands Off!" protest against President Donald Trump on Saturday, April 5, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Andres Kudacki)

A demonstrator carries a photo depicting Elon Musk in a uniform as they take to the streets and march during a protest against President Donald Trump on Saturday, April 5, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Andres Kudacki)

A demonstrator carries a photo depicting Elon Musk in a uniform as they take to the streets and march during a protest against President Donald Trump on Saturday, April 5, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Andres Kudacki)

Demonstrators march during a "Hands Off!" protest against President Donald Trump on Saturday, April 5, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Andres Kudacki)

Demonstrators march during a "Hands Off!" protest against President Donald Trump on Saturday, April 5, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Andres Kudacki)

Demonstrators carry signs during the "Hands Off!" protests against President Donald Trump and Elon Musk at the Washington Monument in Washington, Saturday, April 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)

Demonstrators carry signs during the "Hands Off!" protests against President Donald Trump and Elon Musk at the Washington Monument in Washington, Saturday, April 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)

Activists protest President Donald Trump, who was a few miles away at his Trump National Golf Club, during a "Hands Off!" demonstration Saturday, April 5, 2025, in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Activists protest President Donald Trump, who was a few miles away at his Trump National Golf Club, during a "Hands Off!" demonstration Saturday, April 5, 2025, in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Protesters shout during a "Hands Off!" protest against President Donald Trump on the grounds of the Kentucky Capitol, Saturday, April 5, 2025, in Frankfort, Ky. (AP Photo/Jon Cherry)

Protesters shout during a "Hands Off!" protest against President Donald Trump on the grounds of the Kentucky Capitol, Saturday, April 5, 2025, in Frankfort, Ky. (AP Photo/Jon Cherry)

Protestors shout slogans as they take to the streets and march during a "Hands Off!" protest against President Donald Trump on Saturday, April 5, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Andres Kudacki)

Protestors shout slogans as they take to the streets and march during a "Hands Off!" protest against President Donald Trump on Saturday, April 5, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Andres Kudacki)

Demonstrators carry signs during the "Hands Off!" protests against President Donald Trump and Elon Musk at the Washington Monument in Washington, Saturday, April 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)

Demonstrators carry signs during the "Hands Off!" protests against President Donald Trump and Elon Musk at the Washington Monument in Washington, Saturday, April 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)

A demonstrator shouts slogans during a "Hands Off!" protest against President Donald Trump on Saturday, April 5, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Andres Kudacki)

A demonstrator shouts slogans during a "Hands Off!" protest against President Donald Trump on Saturday, April 5, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Andres Kudacki)

Demonstrators hold up signs during a "Hands Off!" protest against President Donald Trump at the Washington Monument in Washington, Saturday, April 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)

Demonstrators hold up signs during a "Hands Off!" protest against President Donald Trump at the Washington Monument in Washington, Saturday, April 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)

Pro-Palestinian protesters carrying a depiction of President Donald Trump gather at a rally before marching toward the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) headquarters, Saturday, April 5, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)

Pro-Palestinian protesters carrying a depiction of President Donald Trump gather at a rally before marching toward the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) headquarters, Saturday, April 5, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)

Demonstrators rally in Civic Center Plaza in San Francisco, on Saturday, April 5, 2025, during a protest against President Donald Trump, part of the "Hands Off" rallies held nationwide. (Stephen Lam/San Francisco Chronicle via AP)

Demonstrators rally in Civic Center Plaza in San Francisco, on Saturday, April 5, 2025, during a protest against President Donald Trump, part of the "Hands Off" rallies held nationwide. (Stephen Lam/San Francisco Chronicle via AP)

More Images
Beth Maddox, of Calhoun, Ga., right, participates in a civil rights demonstrators, Saturday, April 5, 2025, in Rome, Ga. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)

Beth Maddox, of Calhoun, Ga., right, participates in a civil rights demonstrators, Saturday, April 5, 2025, in Rome, Ga. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)

Demonstrators hold up signs during a "Hands Off!" protest against President Donald Trump at the Washington Monument in Washington, Saturday, April 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)

Demonstrators hold up signs during a "Hands Off!" protest against President Donald Trump at the Washington Monument in Washington, Saturday, April 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)

Protestors hold signs as they take to the streets and march during a "Hands Off!" protest against President Donald Trump on Saturday, April 5, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Andres Kudacki)

Protestors hold signs as they take to the streets and march during a "Hands Off!" protest against President Donald Trump on Saturday, April 5, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Andres Kudacki)

A demonstrator dressed as the Statue of Liberty participates in the "Hands Off!" protests against President Donald Trump at the Washington Monument in Washington, Saturday, April 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)

A demonstrator dressed as the Statue of Liberty participates in the "Hands Off!" protests against President Donald Trump at the Washington Monument in Washington, Saturday, April 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)

Protesters carry signs and chant slogans against the policies of President Donald Trump and Elon Musk Saturday, April 5, 2025, in Miami. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)

Protesters carry signs and chant slogans against the policies of President Donald Trump and Elon Musk Saturday, April 5, 2025, in Miami. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)

Demonstrators hold a rally at the Pennsylvania state capitol in Harrisburg, Pa., during the "Hands Off!" national day of protest against the Trump Administration on Saturday, April 5, 2025. (Zach Gleiter/The Patriot-News via AP)

Demonstrators hold a rally at the Pennsylvania state capitol in Harrisburg, Pa., during the "Hands Off!" national day of protest against the Trump Administration on Saturday, April 5, 2025. (Zach Gleiter/The Patriot-News via AP)

Protesters form a human banner on Ocean Beach during a protest against President Donald Trump, part of the "Hands Off" rallies held nationwide, in San Francisco, Saturday, April 5, 2025. (Stephen Lam/San Francisco Chronicle via AP)

Protesters form a human banner on Ocean Beach during a protest against President Donald Trump, part of the "Hands Off" rallies held nationwide, in San Francisco, Saturday, April 5, 2025. (Stephen Lam/San Francisco Chronicle via AP)

A demonstrator carries a caricature of President Donald Trump during a "Hands Off!" protest against Trump on Saturday, April 5, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Andres Kudacki)

A demonstrator carries a caricature of President Donald Trump during a "Hands Off!" protest against Trump on Saturday, April 5, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Andres Kudacki)

Demonstrators carry signs during the "Hands Off!" protests against President Donald Trump and Elon Musk at the Washington Monument in Washington, Saturday, April 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)

Demonstrators carry signs during the "Hands Off!" protests against President Donald Trump and Elon Musk at the Washington Monument in Washington, Saturday, April 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)

Protestors hold signs as they take to the streets and march during a "Hands Off!" protest against President Donald Trump on Saturday, April 5, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Andres Kudacki)

Protestors hold signs as they take to the streets and march during a "Hands Off!" protest against President Donald Trump on Saturday, April 5, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Andres Kudacki)

A demonstrator carries a photo depicting Elon Musk in a uniform as they take to the streets and march during a protest against President Donald Trump on Saturday, April 5, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Andres Kudacki)

A demonstrator carries a photo depicting Elon Musk in a uniform as they take to the streets and march during a protest against President Donald Trump on Saturday, April 5, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Andres Kudacki)

Demonstrators march during a "Hands Off!" protest against President Donald Trump on Saturday, April 5, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Andres Kudacki)

Demonstrators march during a "Hands Off!" protest against President Donald Trump on Saturday, April 5, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Andres Kudacki)

Demonstrators carry signs during the "Hands Off!" protests against President Donald Trump and Elon Musk at the Washington Monument in Washington, Saturday, April 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)

Demonstrators carry signs during the "Hands Off!" protests against President Donald Trump and Elon Musk at the Washington Monument in Washington, Saturday, April 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)

Activists protest President Donald Trump, who was a few miles away at his Trump National Golf Club, during a "Hands Off!" demonstration Saturday, April 5, 2025, in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Activists protest President Donald Trump, who was a few miles away at his Trump National Golf Club, during a "Hands Off!" demonstration Saturday, April 5, 2025, in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Protesters shout during a "Hands Off!" protest against President Donald Trump on the grounds of the Kentucky Capitol, Saturday, April 5, 2025, in Frankfort, Ky. (AP Photo/Jon Cherry)

Protesters shout during a "Hands Off!" protest against President Donald Trump on the grounds of the Kentucky Capitol, Saturday, April 5, 2025, in Frankfort, Ky. (AP Photo/Jon Cherry)

Protestors shout slogans as they take to the streets and march during a "Hands Off!" protest against President Donald Trump on Saturday, April 5, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Andres Kudacki)

Protestors shout slogans as they take to the streets and march during a "Hands Off!" protest against President Donald Trump on Saturday, April 5, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Andres Kudacki)

Demonstrators carry signs during the "Hands Off!" protests against President Donald Trump and Elon Musk at the Washington Monument in Washington, Saturday, April 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)

Demonstrators carry signs during the "Hands Off!" protests against President Donald Trump and Elon Musk at the Washington Monument in Washington, Saturday, April 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)

A demonstrator shouts slogans during a "Hands Off!" protest against President Donald Trump on Saturday, April 5, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Andres Kudacki)

A demonstrator shouts slogans during a "Hands Off!" protest against President Donald Trump on Saturday, April 5, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Andres Kudacki)

Demonstrators hold up signs during a "Hands Off!" protest against President Donald Trump at the Washington Monument in Washington, Saturday, April 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)

Demonstrators hold up signs during a "Hands Off!" protest against President Donald Trump at the Washington Monument in Washington, Saturday, April 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)

Pro-Palestinian protesters carrying a depiction of President Donald Trump gather at a rally before marching toward the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) headquarters, Saturday, April 5, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)

Pro-Palestinian protesters carrying a depiction of President Donald Trump gather at a rally before marching toward the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) headquarters, Saturday, April 5, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)

Demonstrators rally in Civic Center Plaza in San Francisco, on Saturday, April 5, 2025, during a protest against President Donald Trump, part of the "Hands Off" rallies held nationwide. (Stephen Lam/San Francisco Chronicle via AP)

Demonstrators rally in Civic Center Plaza in San Francisco, on Saturday, April 5, 2025, during a protest against President Donald Trump, part of the "Hands Off" rallies held nationwide. (Stephen Lam/San Francisco Chronicle via AP)

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump is meeting with oil executives at the White House on Friday in hopes of securing $100 billion in investments to revive Venezuela’s ability to fully tap into its expansive reserves of petroleum — a plan that rides on their comfort in making commitments in a country plagued by instability, inflation and uncertainty.

Since the U.S. military raid to capture former Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro on Saturday, Trump has quickly pivoted to portraying the move as a newfound economic opportunity for the U.S., seizing tankers carrying Venezuelan oil, saying the U.S. is taking over the sales of 30 million to 50 million barrels of previously sanctioned Venezuelan oil and will be controlling sales worldwide indefinitely.

On Friday, U.S. forces seized their fifth tanker over the past month that has been linked to Venezuelan oil. The action reflected the determination of the U.S. to fully control the exporting, refining and production of Venezuelan petroleum, a sign of the Trump administration's plans for ongoing involvement in the sector as it seeks commitments from private companies.

It's all part of a broader push by Trump to keep gasoline prices low. At a time when many Americans are concerned about affordability, the incursion in Venezuela melds Trump’s assertive use of presidential powers with an optical spectacle meant to convince Americans that he can bring down energy prices.

The meeting, set for 2:30 p.m. EST, will be open to the news media, according to an update to the president's daily schedule. “At least 100 Billion Dollars will be invested by BIG OIL, all of whom I will be meeting with today at The White House,” Trump said Friday in a pre-dawn social media post.

Trump is set to meet with executives from 17 oil companies, according to the White House. Among the companies attending are Chevron, which still operates in Venezuela, and ExxonMobil and ConocoPhillips, which both had oil projects in the country that were lost as part of a 2007 nationalization of private businesses under Maduro’s predecessor, Hugo Chávez.

The president is meeting with a wide swath of domestic and international companies with interests ranging from construction to the commodity markets. Other companies slated to be at the meeting include Halliburton, Valero, Marathon, Shell, Singapore-based Trafigura, Italy-based Eni and Spain-based Repsol.

Large U.S. oil companies have so far largely refrained from affirming investments in Venezuela as contracts and guarantees need to be in place. Trump has suggested on social media that America would help to backstop any investments.

Venezuela’s oil production has slumped below one million barrels a day. Part of Trump's challenge to turn that around will be to convince oil companies that his administration has a stable relationship with Venezuela’s interim President Delcy Rodríguez, as well as protections for companies entering the market.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Energy Secretary Chris Wright and Interior Secretary Doug Burgum are slated to attend the oil executives meeting, according to the White House.

Meanwhile, the United States and Venezuelan governments said Friday they were exploring the possibility of r estoring diplomatic relations between the two countries, and that a delegation from the Trump administration arrived to the South American nation on Friday.

The small team of U.S. diplomats and diplomatic security officials traveled to Venezuela to make a preliminary assessment about the potential re-opening of the U.S. Embassy in Caracas, the State Department said in a statement.

Trump also announced on Friday he’d meet with President Gustavo Petro in early February, but called on the Colombian leader to make quick progress on stemming flow of cocaine into the U.S.

Trump, following the ouster of Maduro, had made vague threats to take similar action against Petro. Trump abruptly changed his tone Wednesday about his Colombian counterpart after a friendly phone call in which he invited Petro to visit the White House.

President Donald Trump waves as he walks off stage after speaking to House Republican lawmakers during their annual policy retreat, Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

President Donald Trump waves as he walks off stage after speaking to House Republican lawmakers during their annual policy retreat, Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

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