The bitter cold temperatures did not deter demonstrators from taking to the streets to voice their opposition to the significant influence Elon Musk has had in shaping policy introduced by President Donald Trump.   

As part of a nationwide day of protests, members of the Democratic Party rallied together outside the of the Mercer County courthouse Monday afternoon. 

Rallygoers focused their message around the extraordinary powers granted to Elon Musk and the executive orders that seek to concentrate power with Trump. Some of those include trying to eliminate the department of education, cutting Medicaid and providing food to the hungry, here and abroad.

Chris Renz, member of the Democrat Women of Mercer County group, told 21 News that she fears local farmers will feel the consequences of the dismantling of USAID.

"U.S. Farmers grow that food and they have relied on [USAID] as their market, and suddenly, very suddenly [that was] pulled out from under them," Renz said.  

Another one of the primary concerns for rally-goers is the Republican administration's attempts to undermine the separation of powers.

"[The Trump administration is] telling us that the judges have no power over them, but they do. Congress so far is doing nothing to stop these things that hurt Americans," Renz said. 

During the rally demonstrators also emphasized the significant loss of experienced federal employees, which they believe will have a detrimental impact on government operations. 

"That sudden cut of government employees--where we have wisdom and all of the years of service--when you cut that away, the foundation that we need to run our government is gone," Judy Hines, Vice Chair of the Mercer County Democratic Party said.