Politics

Trump supporters protest in Washington ahead of major rally

Thursday, January 07, 2021 at 3:03 AM by Jerrywright Ukwu

- Tension is escalating in the US capital, Washington as supporters of President Donald Trump take to the streets

- Some of the president's supporters have been arrested after violent confrontations with security operatives

- Critics say the president's silence on the conduct of his supporters is condemnable

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CBS News is reporting that at least six people were arrested in Washington D.C. on Tuesday, January 5 as thousands of American citizens geared up for larger protests in support of President Donald Trump scheduled to hold on Wednesday, January 6.

Videos on social media also showed some clashes between protesters and police.

Reports say Trump's supporters have laid siege on Washington to back the US president's claims of election fraud ahead of a congressional vote to affirm Joe Biden's election victory.

There are also reports of the National Guard being called on to handle the protesters' over the fear of escalating violence.

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The president is expected to personally address his backers during a rally close to the White House.

Trump supporters protest in Washington ahead of major rally — Trump has refused to concede to defeat. Photo credit: @GettyImages
Source: Getty Images

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Legit.ng had earlier reported that President Trump pressured Georgia’s Republican secretary of state, Brad Raffensperger, to “find” enough votes to overturn Joe Biden’s win in the state’s presidential election.

Trump repeatedly cited disproven claims of fraud and raising the prospect of “criminal offence” if officials did not change the vote count during a phone call recorded and its details later released.

Critics say the phone call was the latest step in an unprecedented effort by Trump to pressure a state official to reverse the outcome of the election he lost.

Trump has insisted he won the November 3 presidential election, despite losing the popular and Electoral College votes to his Democratic Party's rival, Joe Biden.