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Updated Dec 13, 2020 - Politics & Policy

Protesters clash in D.C. and Washington state after Trump rallies

Axios
Supporters of President Trump wave a flag during a protest on December 12, 2020 in Washington, DC.

Supporters of President Trump wave a "Betsy Ross" flag, considered offensive with racist symbolism, during a protest in Washington, DC., on Saturday. Photo: Stephanie Keith/Getty Images

Violent clashes erupted in Washington, D.C., and Washington state, after supporters of President Trump, many maskless despite face mask mandates, rallied Saturday, refusing to accept that President Trump lost the 2020 election.

The latest: In Olympia, Wash., police arrested two suspects and declared a riot after one person was shot during a face-off between Trump supporters and counter-protesters, per the New York Times.

The rally in D.C. was reported to be peaceful in the daytime, but clashes broke out at night between Trump supporters and counter-protesters. At least four people were hospitalized with stab wounds, the Washington Post reports. It wasn't immediately clear which protesters had been stabbed.

  • The Metropolitan Police Department told WRC-TV officers had arrested at least 26 people.
  • Members of the far-right Proud Boys attempted to march to D.C.'s Black Lives Matter Plaza, where counter-protesters gathered, but they were blocked by police. The Proud Boys and counter-protesters faced off at several points and some fights broke out.
  • Police earlier used pepper spray and their bikes to push counter-protesters back in D.C.

The big picture: Thirty-nine days after the election, President Trump continues to make baseless claims of voter fraud and refuses to concede to President-elect Joe Biden.

  • The Supreme Court handed Trump and his allies Friday their most significant legal defeat, rejecting a lawsuit that sought to invalidate 10 million votes in four battleground states.
  • Saturday's protest comes days before the Electoral College meets to vote for the president and vice president. Biden is expected to have 306 electoral votes to Trump's 232 votes. A candidate needs 270 to win.
  • The president tweeted Saturday morning: "Wow! Thousands of people forming in Washington [D.C.] for Stop the Steal. Didn't know about this, but I’ll be seeing them! #MAGA." He later flew on Marine One over the protests as he headed to the Army-Navy football game at West Point.

Of note: A similar protest saw a larger number of Trump supporters take to D.C. streets last month.

In photos: Trump supporters rally in D.C. and Washington state
Members of the Proud Boys kick a counter-protester on the ground in Washington, DC.
Members of the Proud Boys kick a counter-protester on the ground in Washington, DC. Photo: Stephanie Keith/Getty Images
Anti-fascist protesters dodge police munitions during political clashes on December 12, 2020 in Olympia, Washington.
Counter-protesters dodge police munitions during clashes with Trump supporters in Olympia following a rally in the Washington State Capitol. Photo: David Ryder/Getty Images
Proud Boys members take to the streets after the pro-Trump protest march from Freedom Plaza to the U.S. Capitol
Proud Boys members take to the streets of D.C. Photo: Tayfun Coskun/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images
Trump supporters taunt counter-protesters during political clashes on December 12, 2020 in Olympia, Washington.
Trump supporters near the Washington State Capitol. Photo: David Ryder/Getty Images
Supporters of President Donald Trump gather near Black Lives Matter Plaza during a protest on December 12, 2020 in Washington, DC.
Supporters of President Trump gather near Black Lives Matter Plaza. Photo: Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images
A counter-protester and Trump supporter face off in Olympia, Washington.
A counter-protester and Trump supporter face off in Olympia, Washington. Photo: David Ryder/Getty Images
BLM protesters and Antifa clash with police as police officers intervene them with tear cas canisters at the BLM plaza in Washington, DC, United States on December 12
Police officers use teargas canisters at Black Lives Matter Plaza in an attempt to disperse counter-protesters. Photo: Tayfun Coskun/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images
A supporter of President Donald Trump receives aid from law enforcement personnel after clashing with counter-protesters during a rally on December 12
A Trump supporter receives aid from law enforcement personnel after clashing with counter-protesters during a rally in Olympia. Photo: David Ryder/Getty Images
Trump supporters protest the outcome of the 2020 presidential election in Washington, D.C.
Trump supporters protest the outcome of the 2020 presidential election in Washington, D.C. Photo: Olivier Douliery/AFP via Getty Images
A Trump supporter taunts counter-protesters during a rally on December 12, 2020 in Olympia, Washington.
A Trump supporter in Olympia, near the Washington State Capitol. Photo: David Ryder/Getty Images
Trump supporters rally in DC
Thousands flock to the U.S. Capitol to show their support for Trump. Photo: Jose Luis Magana/AFP via Getty Images.
Members of the Proud Boys and counter-protesters stand off near Black Lives Matter Plaza on December 12, 2020 in Washington, DC.
Members of the Proud Boys shout at counter-protesters, as D.C. police attempt to keep the groups apart. Photo: Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images
Counter-protesters stand together as they watch supporters of President Trump protest against the results of the 2020 presidential election in Washington, D.C.
Counter-protesters stand together in Washington, D.C. Photo: Al Drago/Getty Images
People gather in support of President Donald Trump in Washington, DC.
Former national security advisor Michael Flynn delivers his first public remarks since Trump pardoned him in late November at the D.C. rally. Photo: Olivier Douliery/AFP via Getty Images
People gather in support of President Donald Trump in DC.
Trump supporters hold a prayer vigil Saturday morning outside the U.S. Supreme Court. Photo: Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images
Members of the far-right Proud Boys march in D.C.
Members of the Proud Boys march in support of Trump in D.C. Photo: Stephanie Keith/Getty Images
Trump supporters participate in the Million MAGA March to protest the outcome of the 2020 presidential election, in front of the US Supreme Court on December 12, 2020 in Washington, DC.
Many protesters did not adhere to a city-wide mask mandate, prompting concerns from D.C. residents. Photo: Olivier Douliery/AFP via Getty Images
Supporters of Trump participate in the Million MAGA March to protest the outcome of the 2020 presidential election,
Trump supporters rally in front of the U.S. Capitol. Photo: Oliver Douliery/AFP via Getty Images
Trump supporters rally in DC.
Protesters gather on the National Mall to support Trump. Photo: Olivier Douliery/AFP via Getty Images
People gather in support of President Donald Trump in D.C.
A protester wears a Trump mask at the D.C. protest. Photo: Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images

Editor's note: This article has been updated with more details and photos from the protests.

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