Daily Mail
By Keith Griffith For Dailymail.com and Wires
President Donald Trump's supporters have swarmed the streets of Washington DC for a 'Million MAGA March' to support his longshot legal challenges to overturn President-elect Joe Biden's election victory.
Pro-Trump groups gathered in Freedom Plaza at noon on Saturday, 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.
Tensions rose as the afternoon wore on, with sporadic but heated screaming matches between participants in the pro-Trump rally and groups counter-protesters bearing signs supporting Black Lives Matter and Antifa. Cops were quick to intervene, and there were no immediate reports of major violence or injuries.
The pro-Trump crowd was estimated in the tens of thousands, and as they marched through the heavily Democrat federal district, it raised fears of brawls between competing groups.
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.
The pro-Trump rally massively overflowed from Freedom Plaza, which has an official capacity of about 13,000 people
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
Officers separate a Trump supporter (left) from a left-wing counterprotester (right) during the event on Saturday
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
There were sporadic sightings of left-wing activists who tried to confront Trump supporters on the outskirts of the event, video from the scene shows.
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
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
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
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.
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
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 Hous
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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