“Briefs or boxers? Briefs or boxers?” a crowd of more than 500 chanted outside the White House last week, and the question quickly became a protest slogan, printed on bumper stickers and t-shirts, shouted at government officials walking from their cars to their offices, set to music and performed on YouTube.

The president dismissed the demonstrations and repeated his claim that tariffs are paid by foreign countries, including the new 75% tariff on all underwear manufactured outside of the United States. “We need to bring the sweatshops back home,” he posted on his official social media account. “We will MAKE UNDERWEAR GREAT AGAIN, and you can help. Be a patriotic American, wear those stained boxers and worn-out briefs with pride!”

Left-leaning members of Congress, both men and women, have taken to wearing boxer shorts on top of their pants (pristine ones, washed and ironed, no stains or holes) as a form of silent protest. A pundit called them the Suit-and-Tie-and-Boxers Brigade, and the nickname stuck.

Lawsuits have been filed in federal court, requesting a rapid clarification of the term “underwear,” and, in particular, whether or not it includes brassieres, bustiers, latex and leather garments not worn under other clothes, and chemises.