Local

Trump supporters protesting the election begin demonstrating in D.C.

By Marissa J. Lang, Emily Davies, Peter Hermann and Jessica Contrera
Jan. 5, 2021 at 3:55 p.m. EST

One day before Congress votes to certify that Joe Biden won the presidential election, Trump supporters who refuse to accept the reality of his defeat have begun demonstrating in Washington again. The city is bracing for 48 hours of potentially violent protests, egged on by President Trump himself.

One Wednesday gathering has a permit with the National Park Service for up to 30,000 people, but multiple events planned for Tuesday are already drawing crowds downtown. Among the masses: the far-right groups whose members were involved in stabbings and, police say, the vandalism of historic Black churches in the District during last month’s protest.

[Multiple people stabbed after thousands gather for pro-Trump demonstrations in Washington]

The city has mobilized the National Guard alongside its police force, which will focus on arresting anyone who is unlawfully armed. The mayor has asked residents to avoid the demonstrations, taking place at Freedom Plaza, the Capitol and the Supreme Court on Tuesday and Wednesday. ... Protesters have traveled across the country to D.C. for what they see as a last stand for Trump, who has continued to falsely assert that the election was stolen from him. He has promoted Wednesday’s demonstrations for weeks and said he is planning to make an appearance.



The D.C. National Guard arrives at 12th Street near Hotel Harrington, a popular hangout for pro-Trump supporters and Proud Boys. (Astrid Riecken for The Washington Post)

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On Tuesday afternoon, {leader of the Proud Boys, Enrique Tarrio} appeared in D.C. Superior Court, where he pleaded not guilty. A judge released him but banned him from the District, pointing to his social media posts in which he threatens to set fire to more signs. Tarrio could be arrested if he is seen anywhere in the District. ... As he was being released, the crowds in Freedom Plaza were growing. Vendors nearby hawked red caps, Trump 2020 sweatshirts and one T-shirt featuring a Baby Yoda decked out in MAGA gear. They cheered for a Michigan lawmaker, a pastor who told them it was “time for war,” and a man wearing a patch representing the far-right armed group Three Percenters, who told them to “fight, fight, fight.”

{snip}

Keith L. Alexander contributed to this report.

Marissa Lang
Marissa J. Lang is a local reporter covering the D.C. metro area. Follow https://twitter.com/Marissa_Jae

Emily Davies
Emily Davies is a reporter working on the local desk in D.C. Follow https://twitter.com/ELaserDavies

Peter Hermann
Peter Hermann covers crime for The Washington Post. He previously worked for the Baltimore Sun for 22 years, covering a Baltimore suburb and then the Baltimore Police Department. Follow https://twitter.com/phscoop

Jessica Contrera
Jessica Contrera is a reporter on The Washington Post's local enterprise team. She writes about people whose lives are being transformed by the major events and issues in the news. Follow https://twitter.com/mjcontrera