Violence erupts in D.C. after the 'Million MAGA March'

Violence erupts in D.C. at the ‘Million MAGA March’ with counter protesters throwing fireworks at Trump supporters in a restaurant, brawls on the street, one man is stabbed and at least ten people arrested

Tens of thousands gathered in Freedom Plaza in Washington DC on Saturday for a pro-Trump ‘Million MAGA March’ in support of the president’s unsubstantiated claims of widespread election fraud
Taking part were far-right groups such as the Proud Boys and the Oath Keepers militia group
Left-wing groups and self-proclaimed anarchists also showed up to confront Trump’s supporters
Skirmishes of pushing and shoving broke out before police formed lines to separate the groups
Two sides traded insults and chants as cops in riot gear stood silently in the middle
As night fell, the clashes grew more violent as the president’s supporters dispersed and protesters began to target anyone in Trump attire
One man in his 20s was left with serious injuries after being stabbed in the back in an altercation
Fireworks and bottles were thrown at some Trump fans dining outside
Others were doused with water and saw their MAGA hats and pro-Trump flags snatched
One man was shoved and punched to the ground after pushing a protester
At least ten arrests were made as of Saturday evening

One man has been stabbed as clashes between anti-Trump protesters and the president’s supporters continue in Washington DC after the ‘Million MAGA March’ saw tens of thousands flock to the Capitol to support Trump’s longshot legal challenges to overturn President-elect Joe Biden’s election victory.

Violence erupted on Saturday night as left and right-wing groups descended into a brawl at around 8pm just five blocks from the White House. The ugly scenes lasted for several minutes as the two groups wielded batons and pushed and shoved each other until cops intervened.

A man in his 20s was left with serious injuries and rushed to the hospital after being stabbed in the back during the altercation.

Another female Black Lives Matter protester was knocked the ground where she was left lying with blood covering her face as the pro-Trump group filmed her and screamed ‘F*** Antifa’.

She was eventually helped from the ground and carried to a nearby bench by a police officer as the violence continued around her and cops rushed to try and separate the two groups.

Earlier, anti-Trump protesters were seen throwing fireworks and bottles at his fans as they dined outside a restaurant at around 6pm, with one Trump supporter throwing a chair back in retaliation after a firework exploded right beside him.

The Trump supporters initially tried to shout back at the large group of protesters gathered around them chanting ‘people are dying while you are dining’, before being forced to flee inside when the fireworks began.

D.C. police reported at least ten arrests as of Saturday evening but social media footage showed more people being detained as night progressed.

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Left and right-wing groups clash in the middle of the street following the ‘Million MAGA March’

Supporters of U.S. President Donald Trump gesture towards anti-Trump protesters while dining near Black Lives Matter Plaza in Washington D.C. on Saturday before they were set on with fireworks and bottles and forced to flee inside

A Black Lives Matter protester bleeds from the mouth as she lays in the middle of the street during a protest following the ‘Million MAGA March’. Video shows members of the Proud Boys surrounding her and filming her as she tried to get up before they were pushed back and a police officer came to carry her to the side of the road

DC police officers grapple with protesters as violence erupts in Washington D.C. on Saturday night

A supporter of U.S. President Donald Trump is on the ground after walking through Black Lives Matter Plaza on Saturday

A man is thrown into the air by Washington Metropolitan police officers as Trump supporters and anti-fascist protesters clash at the front door of the Capital Hilton hotel in downtown Washington D.C. on Saturday night

Police officers detain a demonstrator in D.C. on Saturday as anti-Trump protesters and the president’s supporters clash

Police officers stand in line as they monitor a protest following the ‘Million MAGA March’ as tensions rose between Trump supporters and those protesting against him. At least ten people were arrested as of Saturday evening

A man in a white shirt getting liquid thrown at him, is escorted away by police from protesters near BLM plaza in D.C.

Ten of thousands of Pro-Trump groups gathered in Freedom Plaza at noon on Saturday afternoon, listening to speeches before marching toward the Supreme Court. Left-wing activists also arrived to counter-protest, and minor skirmishes of pushing and shoving broke out, but police formed lines to separate the two groups.

Multiple police lines blocked Trump supporters from entering the Black Lives Matter Plaza area as night fell and tensions rose.

Those who managed to get inside the area were doused with water and saw their MAGA hats and pro-Trump flags snatched. Videos posted on social media showed some demonstrators and counterdemonstrators trading shoves, punches and slaps.

A man with a bullhorn yelling ‘Get out of here!’ was pushed to the street by a man who was then surrounded by several people and shoved and punched until he fell face first into the street. Bloody and dazed, he was picked up and walked to a police officer.

As the night wore on, the clashes turned more and more violent as groups of Proud Boys organized and were joined by tens of Trump supporters as they claimed: ‘We’re not done cleaning the city tonight, let’s go’.

Just as many left-wing protesters faced off with them, targeting the president’s fans who remained. The group were dressed all in black and attacked anyone wearing Trump attire.

Cops surrounded the entrance to The Capitol Hilton near the White House after a confrontation with the anti-Trump protesters. Inside were the president’s supporters who held up flags to taunt those outside and rallied outside to sign the national anthem.

One man was detained after a Trump sign was set on fire outside the hotel, according to USA Today, while protesters slashed the tires and defaced a truck with a red Trump hat inside.

Police were eventually forced to use a chemical agent on the protesters as they tried to push them back from the hotel and more arrests were made.

The Proud Boys held their own rally from about 9pm after several altercations between them and protesters. They chanted ‘Break out Kyle!’ in reference to Kyle Rittenhouse, the 17-year-old charged with shooting dead three protesters during Black Lives Matter demonstrations in Wisconsin in August.

D.C. police officers react as Trump supporters and anti-fascist protesters clash at the front door of the Capital Hilton hotel

A supporter of U.S. President Donald Trump argues with an anti-Trump protester during the protest against election results

A supporter of President Donald Trump, third from left in white hat, argues with counter-protestors after pro-Trump marches

A supporter of President Donald Trump gets up after being attacked following pro-Trump marches on Saturday

A street vendor picks up merchandise after her cart was knocked over during a protest following the ‘Million MAGA March’

Fear of brawls had emerged earlier in the day as the pro-Trump crowd marched through the heavily Democrat federal district.

Tensions rose as the afternoon wore on, with sporadic but heated screaming matches between participants in the pro-Trump rally and groups of masked counter-protesters bearing signs supporting Black Lives Matter and Antifa.

Cops were quick to intervene, and there were no immediate reports of major violence until later in the evening.

DC Metropolitan Police said they made at least 10 arrests as of Saturday evening, on charges including simple assault, assault on a police officer, and weapons violations.

Four people were arrested for firearm violations, two for assault, one for not having a permit, one for assaulting a police officer and two for disorderly conduct, according to public affairs officer Alaina Gertz.

Earlier in the day at around 10.30am, Trump departed the White House and his motorcade drove past the gathering crowd of cheering supporters as he headed to his golf club in Sterling, Virginia.

The motorcade was greeted by applause, cheers, waving and whistles from hundreds of Trump supporters lining both sides of the street.

They punched the air, took photos and held signs that included ‘Best prez ever’ and ‘Stop the steal’.

The crowd also waved flags with messages including ‘Trump 2020: Keep America great’, ‘Trump 2020: No more bulls**t’, ‘All aboard the Trump train!’, ‘Women for Trump’ and ‘Trump 2020: Pro life, pro God, pro gun’.

Inside the armored presidential state car, Trump was spotted smiling, waving and pointing at his supporters.

‘I just want to keep up his spirits and let him know we support him,’ one Trump loyalist, Anthony Whittaker of Winchester, Virginia, said from outside the Supreme Court, where thousands assembled after a march along Pennsylvania Avenue from Freedom Plaza, near the White House.

A counter-protester burns a Trump 2020 flag after supporters of President Donald Trump held pro-Trump march in D.C.

The pro-Trump rally massively overflowed from Freedom Plaza, which has an official capacity of about 13,000 people

Pro-Trump groups gathered in Freedom Plaza (above) at noon on Saturday, listening to speeches before marching toward the Supreme Court in a massive demonstration supporting Trump’s claims of election fraud

Trump makes a surprise visit at Million MAGA March in Washington DC on Saturday, gesturing to the cheering crowd

Police officers in riot gear provide security as supporters of US President Donald Trump rally in Washington, DC on Saturday

A girl screams in terror as counter-protesters battle with a Trump supporter who was escorting her and her mother away from the rally

The Trump supporter falls to the ground with the little girl behind him as police grab the counter-protester

Police detain a counter-protester. DC Metropolitan Police said they made at least 10 arrests, on charges including simple assault, assault on a police officer, and weapons violations

The massive group of Trump supporters marched from Freedom Plaza to the Supreme Court to back Trumps’ fraud claims

Trump supporters hold ‘Stop the Steal’ signs outside the Supreme Court during the ‘Million MAGA March’ after the 2020 US presidential election was called for Democratic candidate Joe Biden

The official event ended around 4pm, with organizers telling the crowd to follow a safe exit route protected by police. The Journey song Don’t Stop Believin’ played as the exuberant crowd dispersed. Few in the massive crowd were observed wearing masks.

The clashes between protesters began almost immediately. In front of Union Station, one Trump supporter was beaten bloody in the head by counter-protesters.

In another shocking scene, a little girl screamed in terror as counter-protesters clashed with a Trump supporter who appeared to be escorting her and her mother away from the Trump event.

The march had gathered Saturday to support Trump’s campaign as it files legal challenges complaining that their poll watchers were unable to scrutinize the voting process. Many of those challenges have been tossed out by judges, some within hours of their filing.

A former administration official, Sebastian Gorka, whipped up the crowd by the Supreme Court by saying, ‘We can win because he did win.’ But, he added, ‘It’s going to be tough.’

Controversial Infowars radio host Alex Jones, flanked by Oath Keepers militamen, is seen arriving at the rally

Jones and a female companion participate in the ‘Million MAGA March’ from Freedom Plaza to the Supreme Court

Dazed, a Trump supporter falls to the ground in front of Union Station after being struck by counter-protesters on Saturday

A man is seen injured as supporters of Trump participate in a ‘Stop the Steal’ protest after the 2020 U.S. presidential election

The Trump supporter was bleeding from his head after being beaten in front of Union Station on Saturday

A bystander rushed to assist the injured man as police with bicycles set up a perimeter around him

An injured supporter of US President Donald Trump is helped after being assaulted by an unknown assailant in DC

Officers separate a Trump supporter (left) from a left-wing counterprotester (right) during the event on Saturday

Among the speakers was a Georgia Republican newly elected to the U.S. House, Marjorie Taylor Greene.

Greene, who has expressed support for the QAnon conspiracy theory, urged people to march peacefully toward the Supreme Court.

Police formed a line to keep the two sides separate after a large group of counter-protesters gathered, wearing black and carrying umbrellas, hallmark tactics of Antifa. ‘No Trump, no KKK, no fascist USA,’ a counter-protester with a bullhorn chanted.

‘Punch MAGA in the face,’ read a large banner displayed by the counter-protesters, also showing the circled ‘A’ symbol of anarchists. Other counter-protesters had signs supporting BLM

Trump supporters, who appeared to massively outnumber the counter-protesters, lobbed insults at the black-clad group. ‘Commie, commie,’ chanted one man, as another jeered ‘Go back to the basement.’

Meanwhile, Joe and Jill Biden went for a bike ride in a state park in Delaware, sporting masks as they rode

President Donald Trump walks out of the White House, Saturday morning before his motorcade passed the crowd

Inside the armored presidential state car, Trump was spotted smiling, waving and pointing at his supporters

At around 10.30am, Trump departed the White House and his motorcade drove past the gathering crowd of cheering supporters who had arrived for the Million MAGA March

A motorcade carrying President Donald Trump drives by a group of supporters participating in a rally near the White House

Trump supporters demonstrate as the motorcade carrying Trump drives through a rally while departing the White House

President Donald Trump played golf at Trump National Golf Club in Sterling, Virginia as his supporters rallied in DC

Before the rally started, Trump’s motorcade did a circuit of Freedom Plaza, where people had climbed on walls and other structures for a better view.

Some Trump supporters ran excitedly after the motorcade. There were chants of ‘USA! USA!’, ‘We want Trump! We want Trump!’ and ‘Four more years! Four more years!’

Many people wore red, white and blue flag patterns. One man had on a T shirt reading: ‘I’m deplorable.’ A stand had been set up to sell merchandise as if at a Trump rally. U.S. park police were present, as Freedom Plaza is administered by the National Park Service.

At noon, speakers took the stage, leading the crowd in chants of ‘Stop the steal!’ and ‘Trump won!’

More than 93 percent of Washington DC’s voters chose Biden in last week’s election, suggesting that many of the participants at the rally had traveled to the capital for the event.

Though large scale left-wing demonstrations are a regular occurrence in DC, pro-Trump events have rarely been held on this scale so deep in Democrat territory.

A counter-protester with the group Refuse Fascism protests with a bullhorn at the Million MAGA March

The large crowd filled the surrounding blocks, as Trump supporters changed ‘Stop the steal!’ and ‘Trump won!’

US Capitol Police maintain order in a skirmish line to separate counter-protesters from the Million MAGA March

Trump’s supporters gather in Freedom Plaza during the Million MAGA March on Saturday in Washington DC

More than 93 percent of Washington DC’s voters chose Biden in last week’s election, suggesting that many of the participants had traveled to the capital for the event

Saturday’s event appeared to be the largest Republican gathering in the capital since Trump’s inauguration in 2017

Police formed a line to keep the two sides separate after a large group of counter-protesters gathered near the rally wearing black and carrying umbrellas, hallmark tactics of Antifa

Saturday’s event appeared to be the largest Republican gathering in the capital since Trump’s inauguration nearly four years ago.

Controversial Infowars radio host Alex Jones led a ‘Stop the Steal’ caravan from Texas to DC, arriving Friday night ahead of Saturday’s march.

During his show Tuesday, Jones said ‘the cavalry is coming’ as he urged Trump supporters to descend on Washington in ‘caravans’.

Jones was spotted at Saturday’s event with a heavy security detail, walking alongside Proud Boys chairman Enrique Tarrio.

The rally, dubbed the Million MAGA March, is being held in support of Trump’s unsubstantiated claims of widespread election fraud that threw the race for his opponent.

Trump has made little headway in the courts with his lawsuits and for the first time on Friday he began to sound doubtful about his prospects, telling reporters ‘time will tell’ who occupies the White House from January 20.

There have been other pro-Trump protests around the country since Biden was projected the winner on November 7, but they have been small and unfolded with few incidents.

Organizers had predicted 10,000 would attend the rally, and as noon approached it looked like that many or more

Trump supporters punched the air, took photos and held signs that included ‘Best prez ever’ and ‘Stop the steal’

The crowd cheers as Trump’s motorcade passed by in a surprise visit early on during the Million MAGA March

Some Trump supporters ran excitedly after the motorcade. There were chants of ‘USA! USA!’ and ‘We want Trump!’

In addition to the Washington event, pro-Trump protests and counterprotests are planned in other major cities around the country.

‘Heartwarming to see all of the tremendous support out there, especially the organic Rallies that are springing up all over the Country, including a big one on Saturday in D.C. I may even try to stop by and say hello,’ Trump wrote on Twitter on Friday.

The pro-Trump demonstrations in Washington and other cities on Saturday are scheduled to feature a mix of the president’s backers, far-right personalities and members of the Oath Keepers militia and Proud Boys in a public display of support for his effort to stay in power.

Organizers have given the rallies various names, including the Million MAGA March, the March for Trump and Stop the Steal. MAGA is an acronym for the Trump campaign slogan ‘Make America Great Again.’ Trump has tweeted his support.

Protesting against the marches, opponents on social media sought to create confusion by flooding the hashtags #MillionMAGAMarch and #MarchforTrump with photographs of pancakes.

Some left-wing groups are planning counter-demonstrations in Washington and other cities.

Law enforcement had warned of potential violence around the election, including from extremist groups, which so far has not come to pass. Experts on extremist groups said that the Washington demonstrations had the potential to become violent if protesters clashed with counterprotesters.

Proud Boys chairman Enrique Tarrio (center) arrived at the rally flanked by members of his right-wing group. Tarrio, who has previously toted cans of White Claw hard seltzer, on Saturday stocked his tactical vest with yellow cans of Red Bull

Members of the far-right Proud Boys rally in support of Trump to protest against the results of the 2020 US election

Trump supporters gather at Freedom Plaza in Washington DC in a MAGA Million March to show their support for Trump and protest against the Presidential election result which they claim to be fraudulent

Trump supporters demonstrate as the motorcade carrying U.S. President Donald J. Trump drives by the rally

Christopher Rodriguez, Washington’s Homeland Security and Emergency Management director, said his agency was tracking about a dozen groups each made up of ‘about a dozen’ people who had indicated they would attend on Saturday.

‘I don’t want anyone to think we are talking about large numbers of folks,’ he said at a news conference on Thursday.

Rodriguez stressed that those attending the rallies would not be allowed to carry weapons. ‘Violence will not be tolerated,’ he said.

Other Trump protests took place in Delray Beach, Florida, where several hundred people marched, some carrying signs reading ‘Count every vote’ and ‘We cannot live under a Marxist government’.

In Lansing, Michigan, protesters gathered at the Capitol to hear speakers cast doubt on results that showed Biden winning the state by more than 140,000 votes. Phoenix police estimated 1,500 people gathered outside the Arizona Capitol to protest Biden’s narrow victory in the state.

Before leaving the White House on Saturday, Trump launched a series of tweets on various topics. He attacked officials in Georgia over voting procedures there, earning a warning label rebuke from Twitter.

The president also called on Congress to agree to a pandemic stimulus bill and wished the country a happy Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights.

As well, he also struck out at New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, a Democrat, saying that any delay in distributing an eventual COVID-19 vaccine there would be the fault of state authorities.

Meanwhile, Biden was spotted spending his Saturday morning on a bike ride at Cape Henlopen State Park in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware.

Meanwhile, Biden was spotted spending his Saturday morning on a bike ride at Cape Henlopen State Park in Delaware

U.S. President-elect Joe Biden goes for a bike ride at Cape Henlopen State Park in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware on Saturday

Biden further solidified his victory on Friday as results from Edison Research showed him winning Georgia, giving him a final tally of 306 Electoral College votes, far more than the 270 needed to be elected president and above Trump’s 232.

The 306 votes was equal to what Trump won in his 2016 victory over Hillary Clinton, which he then called a ‘landslide.’

Trump briefly appeared close to acknowledging the likelihood he will be leaving the White House in January during remarks at a White House event.

‘This administration will not be going to a lockdown. Hopefully the, uh, whatever happens in the future – who knows which administration it will be? I guess time will tell,’ Trump said in his first public remarks since Biden was projected as the election’s winner a week ago.

With the election outcome becoming clearer, Trump has discussed with advisers possible media ventures and appearances that would keep him in the spotlight ahead of a possible 2024 White House bid, aides said.

He is considering starting a television channel or social media company to compete with those he felt betrayed him and stifled his ability to communicate directly with Americans, according to several advisers.

In the near term, Trump is expected to campaign for Republican candidates in Georgia ahead of two Jan. 5 runoff elections that will determine which party controls the U.S. Senate.

Trump has refused to concede to Biden and claims without evidence that he was cheated by widespread election fraud. State election officials report no serious irregularities, and several of his legal challenges have failed in court.

Trump cheer alongside the presidential motorcade at Freedom Plaza near the White House in Washington, DC

Supporters of U.S. President Donald Trump cheer alongside the presidential motorcade at Freedom Plaza

In addition to the Washington event, pro-Trump protests and counterprotests are planned in other major cities around the country

A Michigan state court on Friday rejected a request by Trump’s supporters to block the certification of votes in Detroit, which went heavily in favor of Biden. And lawyers for Trump’s campaign dropped a lawsuit in Arizona after the final vote count there rendered it moot.

Federal election security officials have found no evidence that any voting system deleted, lost or changed votes, ‘or was in any way compromised,’ two security groups said in a statement released on Thursday by the lead U.S. cybersecurity agency.

To win a second term, Trump would need to overturn Biden’s lead in at least three states, but he has so far failed to produce evidence that he could do so in any of them.

States face a December 8 deadline to certify their elections and choose electors for the Electoral College, which will officially select the new president on December 14.

Trump’s refusal to accept defeat has stalled the official transition. The federal agency that releases funding to an incoming president-elect, the General Services Administration, has yet to recognize Biden’s victory, denying him access to federal office space and resources.

Supporters of President Donald Trump cheer as his motorcade drives past a rally of supporters near the White House

Before the rally began, supporters of President Donald Trump cheered as his motorcade drives past

Trump’s motorcade made a splash as it passed the crowd of cheering supporters on Saturday morning

But Biden, who will meet with advisers about the transition on Saturday in his home state of Delaware, has pressed ahead with the process, identifying legislative priorities, reviewing federal agency policies and preparing to fill thousands of jobs in the new administration.

‘We’re charging ahead with the transition,’ Jen Psaki, a senior adviser to Biden’s transition team, said while stressing Biden still needs ‘real-time information’ from the Trump administration to deal with the resurgent coronavirus pandemic and national security threats.

Although the national popular vote does not determine the election outcome, Biden was ahead by more than 5.3 million votes, or 3.4 percentage points. His share of the popular vote, at 50.8%, was slightly higher than Ronald Reagan’s in 1980 when he defeated incumbent Jimmy Carter.

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