A protester flies an American flag inscribed with the end of the Pledge of Allegiance upside down, a signal of distress, at a pro-democracy demonstration in Washington, DC, on February 17, 2025. Thousands of people attended the protest at the U.S. Capitol against the actions taken by Elon Musk, Donald Trump, and the Department of Government Efficiency. (Photo by Allison Bailey/NurPhoto)

American flag DC DOGE Department of Government Administration District of Columbia Donald J. Trump Donald Trump Elon Musk Pledge of Allegiance President’s Day Trump US USA United States United States Capitol Washington administration against anti-fascism authoritarian authoritarianism autocrat democracy demonstration demonstrators distress fascism federal firing firings freedom government grassroots justice liberty president protest protesters protestors signal signaled signaling signals termination terminations tyranny upside down protester American flag Pledge of Allegiance upside down distress signal pro-democracy demonstration Washington DC February 17 2025 thousands protest U.S. Capitol actions Elon Musk Donald Trump Department of Government Efficiency Allison Bailey NurPhoto political unrest public dissent government actions civil liberties activism political demonstration national symbol public gathering political figures government policy freedom of speech civic engagement public protest political expression.