Key facts
- Demonstrators associated with the white supremacist group Patriot Front protested on Capitol Hill.
- The protest took place during the "Salute to America" celebration on the National Mall.
- President Donald Trump was scheduled to speak at the event.
- Anti-Trump demonstrators marched toward the White House carrying a banner and chanting for Trump's removal.
- Patriot Front was founded in 2017 by Thomas Ryan Rousseau after splitting from Vanguard America.
Demonstrators associated with the white supremacist group Patriot Front protested on Capitol Hill on Saturday. The demonstration occurred as President Donald Trump prepared to speak at the "Salute to America" celebration on the National Mall, an event that was to culminate in a fireworks show.
Later in the day, anti-Trump demonstrators were filmed walking toward the White House carrying a large Declaration of Independence banner and chanting a slogan calling for Trump's removal from the presidency. Patriot Front was founded in 2017 by Thomas Ryan Rousseau, who split from the alt-right organization Vanguard America following the 2017 Charlottesville rally. The group describes itself as a "fraternal, nationalist, activist organization."
The D.C. mayor's office referred POLITICO to the Metropolitan police department for comment. The department stated it was tracking First Amendment activities and remained committed to public safety.