Violent protests erupted today in the streets of Washington, D.C., as President Donald Trump was sworn into office. Nearly 100 rioters were arrested after tense face-offs with police.
The bulk of the protests were reportedly peaceful up until about 1 pm ET. Inauguration protesters started early Friday morning by blocking several entrances into the ceremony. Shortly after Trump was officially declared president, things turned ugly. Several-hundred protesters began marching through the streets while some began breaking windows, burning trash cans, and destroying businesses throughout the downtown area.
Washington Post editor Dan Eggan captured this scene outside of his office.
It's the new dumpster fire pic.twitter.com/stB9NS0q4q
— Dan Eggen (@DanEggenWPost) January 20, 2017
One Starbucks and a Bank of America were both victims of the violence.
Protesters smashed windows of a Starbucks and Bank of America in Washington, DC, during Pres. Trump's inauguration https://t.co/1y4sqXWCep pic.twitter.com/iupe72TeNt
— CNN (@CNN) January 20, 2017
14th and K, 10:52 am: looks like some people get pretty cranky without their caffeine … pic.twitter.com/7hEV9EKGko
— Rebecca Sinderbrand (@sinderbrand) January 20, 2017
Police responded with tear gas, pepper spray, and water hoses, in addition to driving one of their vans into a large crowd.
Crazy scene just now. Police van attempted to drive into crowd, but rapidly and nearly hit a few people pic.twitter.com/wFROoDk4JG
— Igor Bobic (@igorbobic) January 20, 2017
Police car cutting through crowd just got egged. Trashcan on fire.
— baynardwoods (@baynardwoods) January 20, 2017
https://twitter.com/Patrick_Madden/status/822469479296864260
https://twitter.com/notrivia/status/822518977087803392
CNN reported that two police officers and a handful of protesters were transported to the hospital. Pro- and anti-Trump protesters likewise clashed in downtown D.C., though only verbally.
Moving wounded protester out as motorcycles amass pic.twitter.com/v5AvtgEGgn
— baynardwoods (@baynardwoods) January 20, 2017
https://twitter.com/jnaudz/status/822562570091511808
Anti-Trump protests are popping up around the nation today as Trump makes his way into the White House. Demonstrations have also been reported in Hong Kong, London, and Berlin.