The main draw will take place on Wednesday morning before the Congress meeting, where the president himself will make a protest in front of the White House dubbed “March for Trump / Save America”. Thousands are expected to attend this event, which was organized by the pro-Trump Women for America First group.
The president has made a series of unsuccessful efforts to reverse his loss, both through lawsuits and through attempts to convince state legislatures to ignore voting in their states and nominate pro-Trump voters. As his last Ave Maria, the president has sought to reinvigorate his supporters on the January 6 certification, claiming that this represents an opportunity for Congress to overturn the election. With Democrats in control of the House and dozens of Republican senators opposing the effort, this plot is doomed to fail as well.
The president also criticized Vice President Mike Pence, who will chair the ceremony, saying he can intervene in the counting. But the ceremonial role does not give Pence such powers.
Still, Trump’s most fervent supporters responded to his call. Anticipating possible violence, Washington, DC, Mayor Muriel Bowser mobilized the National Guard and increased the police presence.
The country’s capital experienced similarly large and, at times, chaotic protests earlier this year, after Minneapolis police killed George Floyd.
