Above, protesters are pictured in front of the State House in Concord Wednesday. They gathered at around noon and were expected to stay until 7 p.m. Paula Tracy video

Above, Jim Riddle of Hillsborough holds his sign at the demonstration Wednesday in front of the State House in Concord. Paula Tracy photo

By PAULA TRACY, InDepthNH.org

CONCORD – Hundreds of protesters expressing concern about the recent actions by the new Trump Administration in Washington came to the State House Wednesday to voice their anger, part of a 50-state demonstration.

Chanting a collection of slogans, including, “We didn’t vote for Musk,” and “Trans rights are human rights,” protesters took the State House plaza and then moved toward Main Street. There they held handmade signs and connected with drivers, some of whom honked horns in support of their cause.

Judi Colla of Hanover was among the protesters who came not only to the State House plaza to protest but also went inside the State House and tried unsuccessfully to speak with the governor.

While Republican Gov. Kelly Ayotte was not available, her office sent out a staff member to take notes which were to be relayed to her.

“We are disturbed by what is going on,” in Washington said Colla, noting that her hope was to speak to the newly elected governor of New Hampshire on what she might be doing about issues in Washington.

She said her issues were “all of the above” including the very fabric of democracy.

Colla noted concern with Trump’s tapping of unelected billionaire Elon Musk to root out waste and build more government efficiency with Trump’s announced Department of Government Efficiency or “DOGE” which is not a state department.

“I think (the governor’s) perspective is that she is lining up behind Trump but I don’t know that for a fact,” Colla said. “I wanted to know what she could do and what we might do.”

Ayotte, meeting with members of the press following the regular meeting of the Executive Council said, “As a newly elected governor, my focus is on the people of New Hampshire and working with the administration where we can, on issues that advance New Hampshire and if there are issues that I am concerned about, I express those concerns directly to the White House.

“President Trump was elected November 5. So was I. And so, we need to make sure that my job really is to advocate New Hampshire every day. So I wake up and figure out what’s best for New Hampshire.”

She said she doesn’t think about whether Trump is making her job easier or harder. “I actually don’t think about that. I just think, every day, how can we maximize the best thing for New Hampshire,” she said. 

“If you think about issues like border security up at our northern border, that is something I strongly support and I know that President Trump is working very hard on that and so there are many issues where I think there will be very positive developments for New Hampshire,” Ayotte said.

She was asked if there are executive orders from Trump that the state has been given specific implementation instructions for, including related to schools, immigration and trans sports bans, Ayotte said there have not been such instructions.

But she noted that those who have committed a crime in this country, in terms of immigration policy, “then we are certainly going to prioritize making sure that you cooperated with federal authorities on making sure that we keep New Hampshire safe, and that is the priority. We will deal with each issue that comes up as it comes up in really thinking about what is best for New Hampshire.”

Ayotte said there have been cases where the state has sought clarification from the White House, including the federal funding freeze to understand what that directive meant and there are still outstanding questions that they are awaiting more details on.

Asked if the large gathering was overreacting in any way to the new administration, she said: “I think that everyone in this country has the right. It’s the beauty of America to express their views, what they believe about their leadership, including me. And that is part of being an American.”

She said she was happy that tariffs with Canada have been paused for a month by the Trump Administration.

Ayotte said when they were initially announced she had heard concerns from New Hampshire businesses and did not want anything to impact the business climate here.

Canada is a very strong trading partner, she said, but she also noted that she shares Trump’s concerns about border security and reducing the amount of the synthetic street drug, fentanyl, that is coming over the border illegally killing Americans.

Canada and Mexico have agreed to work to fortify borders to protect not only keeping that drug from entering the U.S. but also to protect it from illegal immigration.

“I had hoped this would get resolved quickly. The 30-stay is welcome,” Ayotte said.