Police and protesters — for and against Donald Trump — faced off outside the federal courthouse in Washington, D.C., where the former president was arraigned Thursday afternoon.
More than 100 protesters gathered outside the courthouse before Trump's 4 p.m. arraignment. They were joined by a large police presence patrolling the area.
A handful of Trump supporters carried large campaign flags that said, "Trump for President '24" and "Finish The Wall." Another held a sign that said, "Trump won."
Supporters of former President Donald Trump rally outside the E. Barrett Prettyman Federal Courthouse, Aug. 3, 2023, in Washington.Jose Luis Magana/AP
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At one point, a fake presidential limousine drove near the courthouse with a passenger inside wearing a Trump mask. Around the time of Trump's arrival, a man dressed as a Revolutionary soldier sang the National Anthem on a microphone; Trump supporters joined him in singing.
Anti-Trump protesters showed up as well — one of whom wore a black-and-white striped jail uniform; another protester screamed expletives from a megaphone.
A demonstrator carries a banner, as people gather on the day former U.S. President Donald Trump, who is facing federal charges related to attempts to overturn his 2020 election defeat, appears at the U.S. District Court in Washington, Aug. 3, 2023.Sarah Silbiger/Reuters
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Some of the protesters got into arguments, and dispersed after a while. There were no known physical altercations.
Meanwhile, curious tourists passed by, taking photos and videos of the media and protesters.
Mounted officers of the U.S. Park Police ride on the day former U.S. President Donald Trump, who is facing federal charges related to attempts to overturn his 2020 election defeat, appears at the U.S. District Court in Washington, Aug. 3, 2023.Joshua Roberts/Reuters
For such a historic and controversial event, the atmosphere through the morning was calm and the numbers relatively few.
There were no reported threats — but several large dump trucks were parked nearby protectively.
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Hip-high metal barriers with yellow tape warning "US Marshal Do Not Cross" ringed the courthouse, keeping the news media and the public back from the building's entrances. There were dozens of media tents and hundreds of journalists covering the developments of the arraignment.
Barricades and tape surround the U.S. District Court before the arrival of former President Donald Trump, who is facing federal charges in connection with attempts to overturn his 2020 election defeat, in Washington, D.C., Aug. 3, 2023.Jonathan Ernst/Reuters
Metropolitan Police Department officers patrolled the area on foot and on bikes, and stationed themselves at major intersections. Police walked the perimeter of the courthouse, some with dogs searching the surrounding bushes.
Department of Homeland Security officials handed out emergency number cards to contracted security guards to report anything suspicious.
Capitol Police deploy outside the E. Barrett Prettyman US Courthouse for arraignment, in Washington, DC, Aug. 3, 2023, where former US President Donald Trump is to appear for his arraignment.Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images
A Homeland Security canine unit sweeps one of the entrances to the E. Barrett Prettyman U.S. Courthouse in Washington, D.C., Aug. 3, 2023. Trump is expected to appear today in Federal court to face new charges that he conspired to obstruct the 2020 presidential election – the third criminal case against the former president as he seeks a new term in the White House.Roberto Schmidt/Getty Images
The courthouse was quiet inside ahead of Trump's arrival, with most reporters stationed in media rooms while police roamed around. However, as the arraignment neared, the action picked up with the court clearing the lobby and the halls of the courthouse, ushering reporters roaming around into the designated media rooms and the courtroom where the arraignment happened. Court security guards blocked the staircase that went to the second floor where the arraignment occurred.
Trump pleaded not guilty to all counts — four charges related to his push to overturn the 2020 election results before and during Jan. 6.
The courthouse is located a few blocks away from the U.S. Capitol where the Jan. 6 attack took place.
People gather on the day former U.S. President Donald Trump, who is facing federal charges related to attempts to overturn his 2020 election defeat, appears at the U.S. District Court in Washington, Aug. 3, 2023.Joshua Roberts/Reuters
People try to catch a glimpse of the motorcade of former U.S. President Donald Trump as he arrives at the E. Barrett Prettyman U.S. Court House on Aug. 3, 2023 in Washington, D.C.Drew Angerer/Getty Images
Demonstrators shout anti and pro-Trump slogans in front of the E. Barrett Prettyman United States Courthouse in Washington, D.C., Aug. 3, 2023. Former US President Donald Trump is expected to appear today in Federal court to face new charges that he conspired to obstruct the 2020 presidential election – the third criminal case against the former president as he seeks a new term in the White House.Roberto Schmidt/Getty Images
Protesters shout pro-Trump slogans in front of the E. Barrett Prettyman U.S. Courthouse in Washington, D.C., Aug. 3, 2023. Former US President Donald Trump is expected to appear in Federal court to face new charges that he conspired to obstruct the 2020 presidential election – the third criminal case against the former president as he seeks a new term in the White House.Roberto Schmidt/Getty Images
Members of Herndon-Reston Indivisible hold letters spelling “Justice”, outside of the court, on the day former President Donald Trump, who is facing federal charges related to attempts to overturn his 2020 election defeat, appears at the U.S. District Court in Washington, D.C., Aug. 3, 2023.Sarah Silbiger/Reuters
Sourse: abcnews.go.com
