On the 250th anniversary of U.S. independence, demonstrators associated with the Patriot Front, a group identified as white supremacist, were observed protesting in the Eastern Market neighborhood and on Capitol Hill.
These individuals, wearing white masks, sunglasses, and the group’s distinctive tan caps, carried Confederate, Patriot Front, and inverted U.S. flags as they moved through Capitol Hill. They were also seen using public transportation on Saturday morning.
Outside Union Station, the protesters chanted familiar slogans such as “Life, liberty, victory!” and “Reclaim America!” which are commonly used by the group.
The protest took place as tourists and citizens gathered for the “Salute to America” event on the National Mall. This celebration was set to conclude with a speech by President Donald Trump and a fireworks display anticipated to last a record-breaking 40 minutes. The Trump administration has prioritized the nation’s 250th anniversary with initiatives like the Great American State Fair and restoration work at the Reflecting Pool.
Subsequently, anti-Trump demonstrators were recorded heading toward the White House, carrying a large Declaration of Independence banner and chanting “8647,” a call for Trump’s removal from office.
Formed in 2017 by Thomas Ryan Rousseau, Patriot Front emerged from a split with the alt-right group Vanguard America following the violent Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville, Virginia. According to its website, Patriot Front describes itself as a “fraternal, nationalist, activist organization” that believes “Our people, born to this nation of our European race, must reforge themselves as a new collective capable of asserting our right to cultural independence.”
The D.C. mayor’s office directed POLITICO to the Metropolitan police department for any comments.
“The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) is monitoring First Amendment activities that took place this morning in the Eastern Market neighborhood,” the department stated on Saturday. “MPD acknowledges the rights of individuals to express their views peacefully and is committed to ensuring the safety and security of DC residents and visitors.”
Gregory Svirnovskiy contributed to this report.
