Chants from a loudspeaker denouncing President Donald Trump, the Department of Government Efficiency, and tech billionaire Elon Musk rang out in front of U.S. Rep. Andy Harris’ office in downtown Bel Air on Monday as dozens urged the Republican lawmaker to stand against the current administration’s actions.
The large crowd lined East Churchville Road wielding signs like “impeach president Musk,” “protect our constitution,” “absolute power corrupts absolutely” and more. Passing cars honked their horns and waved in support of the rally. Across the street from the rally, a man stood in front of his Tesla Cybertruck, with an American flag and a sign supporting Trump.
Attendees took turns speaking into a microphone to express their frustration with the current administration.
Sean Campbell, a 35-year-old Bel Air resident, held a sign that read: “Why would billionaires want to help you? End Elon’s wealth fair.” Campbell said he was formerly a Republican but switched parties due to the direction he said the party is headed.
“It became clear to me that the idea I have for a functioning, well-balanced government does not come at the cost of the health of the environment, the benefit of big businesses or with the ultimate end goal to make money,” Campbell said.
Campbell said he would like Harris, who represents Maryland’s first congressional district, to “speak up” against the president’s actions as well as listen and act on behalf of his Harford County constituents.
The rally follows Trump’s funding freeze of USAID, the civilian and foreign aid assistance agency; the creation of the Department of Government Efficiency headed by Musk; and Trump’s move to reduce the number of federal employees.
Harris, who was elected to Congress in 2010, is the only Republican Congress representative in Maryland and has been a staunch supporter of Trump.
Monday’s rally was organized by the Harford County Democratic Central Committee, the Harford County Democratic Club and the non-partisan group, Together We Will.
Henry Gibbons, chairman of the county Democratic central committee, said the rally was meant to signal to Harris that Democrats are “building their party” in Harford and that the county’s 67,000 Democratic voters are opposed to the Trump administration’s current actions.
“We are out here demonstrating our opposition to the illegal and unconstitutional and reckless activities of DOGE in particular,” Gibbons said. “People have a lot of issues with the way the administration is proceeding.”
In the 2024 election, Trump carried Harford County with 55% of the vote as former Vice President Kamala Harris got 42%. Statewide, Harris won Maryland with 63% of the vote.
Gibbons cited Trump’s plan to reduce the federal workforce, pointing out that Harford County is home to more than 23,000 federal employees.
The rally occurred on President’s Day, which Gibbons said was significant because it helped the party harness momentum. “The energy was building to get people involved and I think we managed to channel that pretty well,” Gibbons said.
Fallston resident Jeanne Galvin, a member of Together We Will, joined the rally to show her support for “democratic values” and to protest “unelected officials,” she said, referring to Musk.
Galvin said she previously worked for the University of Maryland, where she helped secure grant contracts for research. She said Trump’s push to shut down USAID and other federal grant funding opportunities would hurt the country.
“I am appalled at what is going on with USAID because we are walking away from every good thing,” Galvin said. “We are going to end up with nothing being invented here. It really stunts our growth and it is just sad.”
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