(Headline USA) Supporters of President Donald Trump rallied in Washington on Saturday behind his claim of a stolen election and swarmed his motorcade in adulation when he detoured for a drive-by on his way out of town.
Hours later, after night fell in the nation’s capital, counterprotesters attacked demonstrators favoring Trump, videos posted on social media showing fistfights, projectiles and clubs.
Police arrested at least 20 people on a variety of charges, including assault and weapons possession, officials said.
One stabbing was reported, two police officers were injured and several firearms were also recovered by police.
Trump supporters attempted to enter the area around Black Lives Matter Plaza, about a block from the White House, where several hundred anti-Trump demonstrators had gathered.
In a pattern that kept repeating itself, those Trump supporters who approached the area were harassed, doused with water and saw their MAGA hats and pro-Trump flags snatched and burned, amid cheers.
As night fell, multiple police lines kept the two sides apart.
Videos posted on social media showed some demonstrators and counterdemonstrators trading shoves, punches and slaps.
Graphic: A close-up angle of BLM rioters knocking a man unconscious who was leaving the #MillionMAGAMarch in DC earlier today. They also steal his phone when he’s on the ground. Video by @FromKalen. pic.twitter.com/cf7bnkpsCf
— Andy Ngô (@MrAndyNgo) November 15, 2020
A man with a bullhorn yelling “Get out of here!” was shoved and 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.
Around midnight, President Trump tweeted out condemnation of the attackers and D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser for failing to maintain control:
Radical Left ANTIFA SCUM was easily rebuffed today by the big D.C. MAGA Rally crowd, only to return at night, after 99% of the crowd had left, to assault elderly people and families. Police got there, but late. Mayor is not doing her job!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 15, 2020
ANTIFA SCUM ran for the hills today when they tried attacking the people at the Trump Rally, because those people aggressively fought back. Antifa waited until tonight, when 99% were gone, to attack innocent #MAGA People. DC Police, get going — do your job and don’t hold back!!!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 15, 2020
