Protestors in Anchorage, Fairbanks, Juneau & Seward among those rallying against Trump administration policies

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) – At government buildings across Alaska, including Anchorage, Fairbanks, and Juneau — protesters joined nationwide President’s Day rallies organized by a group called the 50-50-one movement, which stands for 50 protests, 50 states, one movement — in opposition to recent Trump administration policies.

Among the many issues being protested are recent layoffs, numerous executive orders, and Elon Musk’s involvement as part of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).

On Feb. 12, Musk defended the federal job cuts and acknowledged mistakes have been made, and there will likely be more. That same day, President Trump commended Musk’s work with the Department of Government Efficiency for finding “shocking” evidence of wasteful spending.

In Alaska, many protesters called attention to the state and its role in recent federal actions.

“My father was for a while the head of the Democratic Party, his best friend or one of his best friends was Ted Stevens, who was the Republican Majority whip in the Senate,” said Anchorage Protester Libby Roderick. “Everybody knows Ted, he’s a great Alaskan leader and he would be rolling over in his grave as he watched what is happening right now.”

Protests were reported in Downtown Anchorage, as well as along the Seward Hwy, at the State Capitol in Juneau, outside City Hall in Fairbanks, in Palmer, and along the streets of Seward.

“I am here to protest the changes for DEI because DEI impacts every member of my family,” said Fairbanks protester Kunaan Julie Smyth. “Including people that are not people of color or anything, they’re just veterans.”

In Juneau, Alaska State Senator Jesse Kiehl spoke to protestors, calling for federal legislators to push back against the changes being made by the Trump administration.

“We have work to do,” Kiehl said. “We have federal legislators to move on this issue. We need them to stand. We need them to honor their oaths of office to protect and defend the Constitution of the United States of America there. Nothing less at stake than that.”

Alaska’s News Source has reached out to Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s office since last week requesting comment on reports of recent Alaska federal employee layoffs. The questions were not answered, as an administration spokesperson only said the governor was not available for an interview.

Rep. Nick Begich, R-Alaska, is expected to hold his first town hall Monday night. Last month Begich announced he was joining the Congressional DOGE caucus.

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