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2020–21 United States election protests

Protests began in multiple cities in the United States following the 2020 United States presidential election between then-President Donald Trump and Democratic Party challenger Vice President Joe Biden, held on November 3, 2020. Biden won the election, receiving 81.3 million votes (51.3%) to Trump's 74.2 million (46.9%)[15][16] and winning the Electoral College by 306 to 232.[17][16][15] Biden's victory became clear on November 7, after the ballots (including mail-in ballots) had been tabulated.[18] The Electoral College voted on December 14, in accordance with law, formalizing Biden's victory.[17]

2020–21 United States election protests

November 4, 2020 – April 11, 2021 (5 months and 1 week)

False claims of electoral fraud made by Donald Trump[1][2][3][4]

1,000+[12][13][14]

Before and after the election, Trump, his presidential campaign, and his allies challenged the legitimacy of the election and falsely claimed widespread electoral fraud.[19] Trump and his allies filed dozens of legal challenges to the results, which were rejected by at least 86 judges from across the political spectrum, in both the state and federal courts, including by federal judges appointed by Trump himself. The courts found that his claims had no factual or legal basis.[20][21] His unsubstantiated allegations of widespread voting fraud were also refuted by state election officials.[22]


Pro-Trump protesters, including groups such as the Proud Boys, engaged in multiple demonstrations in Washington, D.C., state capitols, and other locations nationwide protesting the election results and echoing Trump's claims of election fraud.[5] In November and December 2020, there were nighttime clashes and street scuffles in Washington, D.C. between Trump supporters who refused to accept the president's defeat, including the Proud Boys, and counterprotesters.[5][23][24]


On January 6—the day when Congress formally counts the electoral votes—Trump supporters gathered for the "Save America" rally where attendees heard speeches from President Trump and his personal lawyer, former New York City mayor Rudy Giuliani. Before the speeches were over, a mob of protesters marched on Congress and stormed the Capitol building.[25] Congress was in session at the time, certifying the Electoral College vote count. Several buildings in the U.S. Capitol complex were evacuated, and protesters broke past security to enter the U.S. Capitol building, including National Statuary Hall.[26][27] All buildings in the Capitol complex were subsequently locked down.[28] There was reportedly an armed standoff at the doors to the House chambers,[29][30] one person was shot within the Capitol building, and one Capitol Police officer died after having a stroke the next day.[31][32] At least two improvised explosive devices were found.[33][34]


In the aftermath of the storming of the U.S. Capitol, at least 36 House Democrats called for Trump's immediate impeachment and removal by Congress.[35][36] State-level officials including Maryland Lieutenant Governor Boyd Rutherford supported impeachment,[37] and representatives called on Vice President Mike Pence to remove Trump via the Twenty-fifth Amendment to the United States Constitution.[38][39] Trump continued to face backlash in the days following and, due to his use of social media to encourage his supporters' protests and violence, was eventually restricted or banned from most online platforms including YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, and his preferred Twitter.[40][41]


Armed supporters of Trump have continued protesting in the aftermath of the storming of the US Capitol.[42] In the lead-up to the inauguration ceremony for President Biden, thousands of National Guard troops were dispatched to the capital, with up to 25,000 present on inauguration day.[43]

In , pro-Trump protesters gathered to demand the city's remaining ballots be counted.[50] Numerous other protests occurred that day in major cities including Los Angeles, Seattle, Houston, Pittsburgh, Minneapolis and San Diego, some about the election and some about racial inequality in the country.[50]

Phoenix, Arizona

Demonstrations were held in several cities, including , Kansas City, and Pittsburgh, to demand the counting of every vote.[155][156][157]

Dallas

In , hundreds of anti-Trump protesters gathered to express their anger toward Trump's demand for vote counting to stop. City officials raised the Wabash Avenue Bridge in a preemptive move to ward off unrest near Trump Tower.[158]

Chicago

In , several different protests took place downtown. One group marched with anti-Trump posters from Houston City Hall to a federal building. Fox 26 news reported that "members of the group carried guns and used a baseball bat to hit a President Donald Trump piñata."[159]

Houston

In , two groups of protesters were expected to march two miles, one beginning on Cedar Avenue in Cedar-Riverside neighborhood, and another from Hennepin County Government Center downtown. Hundreds of protesters began to walk out onto eastbound Interstate 94, leading to traffic being backed up for miles. Police arrested and then released 646 protesters who were blocking Interstate 94.[160][161]

Minneapolis

In , protesters and police clashed near Union Square, resulting in 25 arrests and more than 30 summonses. Police reported finding weapons on some people at the march including knives, a Taser and M-80 explosives.[162][160]

Manhattan

In , anti-Trump protesters demanded that every vote in the election be counted. This led to the declaration of a riot after police saw people smashing business windows. Oregon Governor Kate Brown activated the state's National Guard to help police manage the unrest.[163]

Portland, Oregon

In , hundreds took to the streets to demand a full count of all votes and a halt to Trump's challenges to stop counts in some key battleground states. Seven people were arrested on Capitol Hill on suspicions of obstruction, pedestrian interference, property damage, resisting arrest, and assaulting officers.[164]

Seattle

In , hundreds of anarchists and anti-fascists protested against both presidential candidates. Protesters carried signs stating "strong communities make politicians obsolete" and "we don't want Biden we want revenge"; they also chanted "fuck Biden". A small section of protesters began rioting near an U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention facility, and the Oregon Army National Guard was sent into Portland. 17 protesters were arrested.[167] Anarchists generally embrace the notion of the "ungovernable generation", the idea that the political system is inherently broken; they reject party politics as well as the electoral system, arguing instead that change should be done through grassroots organizing, solidarity, and mutual aid.[168]

Portland

American decline

Big lie

COVID-19 anti-lockdown protests in the United States

Democratic backsliding

Demonstrations in support of Donald Trump

List of incidents of political violence in Washington, D.C.

List of post–2016 election Donald Trump rallies

Protests against Donald Trump

Republican efforts to restrict voting following the 2020 presidential election

(trial)

Second impeachment of Donald Trump

Stop the steal

Rosenberg, Matthew; Rutenberg, Jim (February 1, 2021). . The New York Times.

"Key Takeaways From Trump's Effort to Overturn the Election – A Times examination of the 77 days between election and inauguration shows how a lie the former president had been grooming for years overwhelmed the Republican Party and stoked the assault on the Capitol"