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]
- Attempts to overturn the election of Joe Biden fail.
- January 6 United States Capitol attack
- Congress certifies Biden's victory.[7]
- Donald Trump acknowledges his electoral defeat and formally condemns United States Capitol attack.[8]
- Twitter suspends Donald Trump's account[9]
- Stripe stops processing donations to Trump campaign.[10]
- House Democrats introduce articles of impeachment for Trump on Monday, January 11, 2021 and urge Vice President Mike Pence to invoke 25th amendment to remove Trump from office.[11]
- The House of Representatives impeach Donald Trump again, making him the first US president to be impeached twice.
- Joe Biden becomes President
- The Senate acquits Donald Trump in his impeachment trial making him the first president to be acquitted twice.
- Protests continue into the Biden presidency
- A federal grand jury indicts Donald Trump
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]