More than 75 people gathered outside the Florida Capitol to protest the Trump administration Friday. The afternoon demonstration was focused on veterans and their rights that they believe the Trump administration is stripping them of.

The crowd consisted of several veterans, some who served during the Vietnam War. There was even a World War II veteran.

John Stiles, 100 years old, served in WWII from 1943–46, said he's concerned about assistance for veterans being taken away.

"We're taking away money from them and more. Look at all the ones that are committing suicide," Stiles said. "We're trying to find ways to help them out. Basically what we need to do now is set this country back to a democracy. We are a democracy."

Under President Donald Trump, billionaire Elon Musk's "Departmental of Governmental Efficiency" (DOGE) initiative is stripping down the federal government – and the Department of Veterans Affairs was one of the first to create a layoff plan.

A March 4 memo obtained by USA TODAY outlined a plan to cut 76,000 workers. That amounts to about 16% of the 483,000 workers government data shows the department had in September.

The memo said the Veterans Affairs would publish a reorganization plan in June and have a department-wide reduction in force by the end of the fiscal year, which ends Sept. 30. The memo also calls for the department to "coordinate actions with" Musk's DOGE.

As cars honked their horns Friday and people rolled down their windows to cheer, people with signs chanted, “no tyrant, no king," and "What does democracy look like? This is what democracy looks like.“

"We need to speak up because now is the time," Stiles said. "We need to get back on track."

As the sun began coming out from behind the clouds, the veterans, their family members and friends waived signs that said, "We shall overcome," "Leave our vets and allies alone," "Fund VA, drop Musk," and more.

USA TODAY contributed. Alicia Devine is a photojournalist and visual storyteller for the Tallahassee Democrat. Email her at and follow her on X: @alicia_c_devine.