Supporters of President Donald Trump who attended inauguration events this week in Washington, D.C., echoed similar sentiments. The atmosphere feels markedly different compared to 2017, when Trump first took office as president.
One notable difference is the absence of large-scale street protests. Several demonstrations took place over the weekend and on Inauguration Day, but they were much smaller in size and energy, in stark contrast to the large and sometimes violent protests of 2017.
As temperatures rise and President Trump's policies take effect, these groups are likely to step up efforts to reignite #TheResistance.
The largest protests took place in the capital on Saturday, especially before temperatures dropped significantly. Thousands gathered at the Lincoln Memorial, but only a few thousand people attended. of The Washington Post pointed out Eight years ago, more than 1 million people gathered for the Women's March, filling the National Mall. According to X photos, Saturday's crowd had thinned considerably by the time they arrived at the World War II Memorial.
Organizers offered a predictable spin to explain the low turnout.
“If the precondition is that we shouldn't go out or we shouldn't take action…no one will take action unless it's bigger than the biggest thing ever. '' said Executive Director Rachel O'Leary Carmona. People's March (formerly the Women's March before the original organization folded) told the Post.
In Monday's protest, more militant groups gathered in a park north of the White House. Groups such as the ANSWER Coalition, Democratic Socialists of America, and anti-Israel groups came together to discuss the grave danger Trump poses to the world.
One speaker said that because of U.S. foreign policy, immigrants not only have the right to come and stay in the United States, but they also have the right to receive compensation.
“We're going to fight [Trump]. Once his army comes to town, we're going to crush the event. …If they want a fight, we will give them a fight! And even if we do not start the fight, we will definitely finish them,” another speaker vowed.
Thousands more might have been expected to participate in the inauguration protests, given that Washington, D.C., remains a Democratic-majority city. The cold weather likely played a role in lower turnout, but it also highlighted how the public's mood toward President Trump has changed.
After the 2020 presidential election, nighttime violence by Antifa and BLM groups frequently occurred in the streets whenever Trump supporters held rallies in the city. Anyone wearing a red hat was a target, and police struggled to contain the chaos. The Proud Boys often showed up in droves to clash with far-left activists.
Despite numerous balls and celebrations Monday night, there was no repeat of past mayhem. Tucker Carlson was walking down the street in broad daylight, only approached by supportive admirers, not rabid leftists intent on confrontation.
Few street protests have been recorded so far, but the far-left's extensive networks have not disappeared. Their activity may have slowed down due to the cold. But as temperatures rise and President Trump's policies on illegal immigration and DEI take effect, these groups are likely to step up efforts to reignite #TheResistance.
