Police, protesters gather outside federal courthouse where Trump arraigned


Police, scores of protesters and supporters of Donald Trump were all part of the scene outside the federal courthouse in Washington, D.C., where the former president was arraigned Thursday afternoon.

More than 100 protesters and supporters gathered outside the courthouse before Trump’s 4 p.m. arraignment. They were joined by a large police presence patrolling the area.

A handful of Trump supporters carried large campaign flags that said, “Trump for President ’24” and “Finish The Wall.” Another held a sign that said, “Trump won.”

A supporter of former U.S. President Donald Trump, who is facing federal charges related to attempts to overturn his 2020 election defeat, waves a flag as Trump appears at the U.S. District Court in Washington, Aug. 3, 2023.

Joshua Roberts/Reuters

At one point, a fake presidential limousine drove near the courthouse with a passenger inside wearing a Trump mask. Around the time of Trump’s arrival, a man dressed as a Revolutionary soldier sang the National Anthem on a microphone. Trump supporters joined him in singing.

Anti-Trump protesters showed up as well — one of whom wore a black-and-white striped jail uniform while another protester screamed expletives from a megaphone.

PHOTO: Supporters of former President Donald Trump rally outside the E. Barrett Prettyman Federal Courthouse, Aug. 3, 2023, in Washington.

Supporters of former President Donald Trump rally outside the E. Barrett Prettyman Federal Courthouse, Aug. 3, 2023, in Washington.

Jose Luis Magana/AP

Some of the protesters and supporters got into a few arguments, and dispersed after a while. There were no known physical altercations.

Meanwhile, curious tourists passed by, taking photos and videos of the media and protesters.

PHOTO: Mounted officers of the U.S. Park Police ride on the day former U.S. President Donald Trump, who is facing federal charges related to attempts to overturn his 2020 election defeat, appears at the U.S. District Court in Washington, Aug. 3, 2023.

Mounted officers of the U.S. Park Police ride on the day former U.S. President Donald Trump, who is facing federal charges related to attempts to overturn his 2020 election defeat, appears at the U.S. District Court in Washington, Aug. 3, 2023.

Joshua Roberts/Reuters

For such a historic and controversial event, the atmosphere through the morning was calm and the numbers relatively few.

There were no reported threats — but several large dump trucks were parked nearby protectively.

Hip-high metal barriers with yellow tape warning “US Marshal Do Not Cross” ringed the courthouse, keeping the news media and the public back from the building’s entrances. There were dozens of media tents and hundreds of journalists covering the developments of the arraignment.

PHOTO: People gather on the day former U.S. President Donald Trump, who is facing federal charges related to attempts to overturn his 2020 election defeat, appears at the U.S. District Court in Washington, Aug. 3, 2023.

People gather on the day former U.S. President Donald Trump, who is facing federal charges related to attempts to overturn his 2020 election defeat, appears at the U.S. District Court in Washington, Aug. 3, 2023.

Joshua Roberts/Reuters

Metropolitan Police Department officers patrolled the area on foot and on bikes, and stationed themselves at major intersections. Police walked the perimeter of the courthouse, some with dogs searching the surrounding bushes.

Department of Homeland Security officials handed out emergency number cards to contracted security guards to report anything suspicious.

Police, protesters gather outside federal courthouse where Trump arraigned

People try to catch a glimpse of the motorcade of former U.S. President Donald Trump as he arrives at the E. Barrett Prettyman U.S. Court House on Aug. 3, 2023 in Washington, D.C.

Drew Angerer/Getty Images

PHOTO: Demonstrators shout anti and pro-Trump slogans in front of the E. Barrett Prettyman United States Courthouse in Washington, D.C., Aug. 3, 2023.

Demonstrators shout anti and pro-Trump slogans in front of the E. Barrett Prettyman United States Courthouse in Washington, D.C., Aug. 3, 2023. Former US President Donald Trump is expected to appear today in Federal court to face new charges that he conspired to obstruct the 2020 presidential election – the third criminal case against the former president as he seeks a new term in the White House.

Roberto Schmidt/Getty Images

The courthouse was quiet inside ahead of Trump’s arrival, with most reporters stationed in media rooms while police roamed around. However, as the arraignment neared, the action picked up with the court clearing the lobby and the halls of the courthouse, ushering reporters roaming around into the designated media rooms and the courtroom where the arraignment happened. Court security guards blocked the staircase that went to the second floor where the arraignment occurred.

Trump pleaded not guilty to all counts — four charges related to his push to overturn the 2020 election results before and during Jan. 6.

The courthouse is located a little more than a mile away from the U.S. Capitol where the Jan. 6 attack took place.

PHOTO: A demonstrator carries a banner, as people gather on the day former U.S. President Donald Trump, who is facing federal charges related to attempts to overturn his 2020 election defeat, appears at the U.S. District Court in Washington, Aug. 3, 2023.

A demonstrator carries a banner, as people gather on the day former U.S. President Donald Trump, who is facing federal charges related to attempts to overturn his 2020 election defeat, appears at the U.S. District Court in Washington, Aug. 3, 2023.

Sarah Silbiger/Reuters

PHOTO: Protesters shout pro-Trump slogans in front of the E. Barrett Prettyman U.S. Courthouse in Washington, D.C., Aug. 3, 2023.

Protesters shout pro-Trump slogans in front of the E. Barrett Prettyman U.S. Courthouse in Washington, D.C., Aug. 3, 2023. Former US President Donald Trump is expected to appear in Federal court to face new charges that he conspired to obstruct the 2020 presidential election – the third criminal case against the former president as he seeks a new term in the White House.

Roberto Schmidt/Getty Images

PHOTO: A demonstrator gestures on the day former U.S. President Donald Trump, who is facing federal charges related to attempts to overturn his 2020 election defeat, arrives at the U.S. District Court in Washington, Aug. 3, 2023.

A demonstrator gestures on the day former U.S. President Donald Trump, who is facing federal charges related to attempts to overturn his 2020 election defeat, arrives at the U.S. District Court in Washington, U.S., August 3, 2023. REUTERS/Kevin Wurm

Reuters/ Kevin Wurm

PHOTO: Police block a street near the E. Barrett Prettyman Courthouse where former President Donald Trump is to be arraigned, Aug. 3, 2023, in Washington, D.C.

Police block a street near the E. Barrett Prettyman Courthouse where former President Donald Trump is to be arraigned, Aug. 3, 2023, in Washington, D.C. Trump is expected to appear in court to answer charges of conspiring to overturn the 2020 election, a case that will cast a dark and volatile cloud over the 2024 White House race for which he remains the presumptive Republican nominee.

Mandel Ngan/AFP via Getty Images

PHOTO: A supporter of Donald Trump carries a large flag outside the E. Barrett Prettyman U.S. District Court House ahead of Trump's arrival on Aug. 3, 2023, in Washington, D.C.

A supporter of Donald Trump carries a large flag outside the E. Barrett Prettyman U.S. District Court House ahead of Trump’s arrival on Aug. 3, 2023, in Washington, D.C. Trump is scheduled to be arraigned this afternoon after being indicted on four felony counts for his alleged efforts to overturn the 2020 election.

Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

PHOTO: Members of Herndon-Reston Indivisible hold letters spelling "Justice", outside of the court, on the day former President Donald Trump appears at the U.S. District Court in Washington, D.C., Aug. 3, 2023.

Members of Herndon-Reston Indivisible hold letters spelling “Justice”, outside of the court, on the day former President Donald Trump, who is facing federal charges related to attempts to overturn his 2020 election defeat, appears at the U.S. District Court in Washington, D.C., Aug. 3, 2023.

Sarah Silbiger/Reuters

PHOTO: Barricades and tape surround the U.S. District Court before the arrival of former President Donald Trump, who is facing federal charges in connection with attempts to overturn his 2020 election defeat, in Washington, D.C., Aug. 3, 2023.

Barricades and tape surround the U.S. District Court before the arrival of former President Donald Trump, who is facing federal charges in connection with attempts to overturn his 2020 election defeat, in Washington, D.C., Aug. 3, 2023.

Jonathan Ernst/Reuters

PHOTO: Capitol Police deploy outside the E. Barrett Prettyman US Courthouse for arraignment, in Washington, DC, Aug. 3, 2023, where former US President Donald Trump is to appear for his arraignment.

Capitol Police deploy outside the E. Barrett Prettyman US Courthouse for arraignment, in Washington, DC, Aug. 3, 2023, where former US President Donald Trump is to appear for his arraignment.

Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images

PHOTO: A Homeland Security canine unit sweeps one of the entrances to the E. Barrett Prettyman U.S. Courthouse in Washington, D.C., Aug. 3, 2023.

A Homeland Security canine unit sweeps one of the entrances to the E. Barrett Prettyman U.S. Courthouse in Washington, D.C., Aug. 3, 2023. Trump is expected to appear today in Federal court to face new charges that he conspired to obstruct the 2020 presidential election – the third criminal case against the former president as he seeks a new term in the White House.

Roberto Schmidt/Getty Images

PHOTO: The police take increased security measures as anti-Trump and pro-Trump groups hold demonstrations outside the E. Barrett Prettyman U.S. Courthouse in Washington DC, Aug. 3, 2023.

The police take increased security measures as anti-Trump and pro-Trump groups hold demonstrations outside the E. Barrett Prettyman U.S. Courthouse in Washington DC, Aug. 3, 2023.

Anadolu Agency via Getty Images

PHOTO: People wait to enter court where former President Donald Trump will appear on charges he conspired to subvert the 2020 presidential election at the E. Barrett Prettyman U.S. Courthouse on Aug. 3, 2023, in Washington, D.C.

People wait to enter court where former President Donald Trump will appear on charges he conspired to subvert the 2020 presidential election at the E. Barrett Prettyman U.S. Courthouse on Aug. 3, 2023, in Washington, D.C.

Brendan Smialowski/AFP via Getty Images

PHOTO: Media members prepare for the arrival of former President Donald Trump, who is facing federal charges in connection with attempts to overturn his 2020 election defeat, at U.S. District Court in Washington, D.C., Aug. 3, 2023.

Media members prepare for the arrival of former President Donald Trump, who is facing federal charges in connection with attempts to overturn his 2020 election defeat, at U.S. District Court in Washington, D.C., Aug. 3, 2023.

Jonathan Ernst/Reuters

ABC News’ Aaron Katersky, Sam Sweeney and Sarah Beth Hensley contributed to this report.



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