A crowd gathered in front of the Commerce Department on Tuesday to protest the so-called Department of Government Efficiency’s incursion into the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
Democratic lawmakers assembled as snow began to fall to condemn DOGE’s proposed cuts to the agency, which provides weather and climate information and oversees various fishing operations. Advocates from groups such as the Chesapeake Climate Action Network wielded signs saying, “Stop DOGE, Save NOAA.”
The protest was one of a number of actions across Washington this week against moves by Elon Musk’s initiative to downsize government agencies. Democrats have been sounding the alarm about NOAA specifically, expressing concern about Musk and the Trump administration trying to privatize the National Weather Service.
Speakers included Democratic Sens. Ed Markey of Massachusetts and Chris Van Hollen of Maryland, along with numerous members of Democratic House committee leadership, including Reps. Zoe Lofgren of California and Frank Pallone of New Jersey.
