Demonstrators wearing the insignia of the white supremacist group Patriot Front marched through Washington's Eastern Market neighborhood and Capitol Hill on Saturday as the United States marked the 250th anniversary of its independence.

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Protest in Washington

The protesters wore white masks, sunglasses and the group's trademark tan caps while carrying Confederate flags, Patriot Front flags and upside-down U.S. flags. Images also showed members of the group traveling on Washington's public transit system earlier in the day.

Outside Union Station, participants chanted slogans including "Life, liberty, victory!" and "Reclaim America!"—phrases commonly associated with Patriot Front.

Demonstrations Coincide With Independence Celebrations

The march took place as large crowds gathered on the National Mall for the federal government's "Salute to America" celebration. The event was set to conclude with a speech by President Donald Trump and a fireworks display expected to last 40 minutes.

Picture courtesy of DC news now

The Trump administration has made the country's 250th anniversary a major focus in recent months, promoting initiatives such as the Great American State Fair and restoration work at the Reflecting Pool as part of the commemorations.

Later in the day, a separate group of anti-Trump demonstrators was seen heading toward the White House carrying a large banner depicting the Declaration of Independence. They also chanted "8647," a slogan calling for Trump's removal from office.

Group's Background

Patriot Front was founded in 2017 by Thomas Ryan Rousseau after he broke away from the alt-right group Vanguard America following the deadly Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville, Virginia.

The group's website describes Patriot Front as a "fraternal, nationalist, activist organization" and says its members seek to promote a vision centered on people of European ancestry.

Police Response

Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser's office referred inquiries to the Metropolitan Police Department.

In a statement, the department said it was monitoring First Amendment-related activity that took place in the Eastern Market area.

"MPD recognizes the rights of individuals to peacefully express their views and remains committed to maintaining public safety and security for DC residents and visitors," the statement said.

Join the discussion?

Adapted by ASEAN Now. Source 5 July 2026

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Masked and probably paid by the likes of anarchistic disrupters such as Soros or whatever .

1 minute ago, novacova said:

Masked and probably paid by the likes of anarchistic disrupters such as Soros or whatever .

I don't understand why the people at ANTIFA HQ don't get their act together.....uniforms, insignias, membership fees......they need to be much more professional.

Lots of mums getting the chance to clean out the basement as their incel sons playact tough guys.

3 minutes ago, MIke B Bad said:

I don't understand why the people at ANTIFA HQ don't get their act together.....uniforms, insignias, membership fees......they need to be much more professional.

No, you don't understand, this is ANTIFA!😂

12 minutes ago, BLMFem said:

No, you don't understand, this is ANTIFA!😂

How naive am I ....5555

38 minutes ago, BLMFem said:

Lots of mums getting the chance to clean out the basement as their incel sons playact tough guys.

By the time they get home, all their stuff will be on the front lawn!

Those masks are because their makeup runs in the heat.

34 minutes ago, BLMFem said:

No, you don't understand, this is ANTIFA!😂

I agree. NO ONE should be allowed to cover their faces and must present ID on request. Take note, ICE.

45 minutes ago, MIke B Bad said:

I don't understand why the people at ANTIFA HQ don't get their act together.....uniforms, insignias, membership fees......they need to be much more professional.

I thought Antifa was an idea about being Antifascist

Only in a country blessed with such expansive First Amendment freedoms could a group celebrate Independence Day by parading symbols of division while insisting it represents patriotism.

It’s a remarkable system!

One that protects every voice, even those determined to shout past the meaning of the day.

2 hours ago, novacova said:

Masked and probably paid by the likes of anarchistic disrupters such as Soros or whatever .

That's insane.

Nothing new in DC if you know history.

I read the heading and mused, "I thought the Administration's Cabinet would have gone home for the holiday."

Alas, it was die Sturmabteilung, not die Reichskabinett.

While Ingraham is up there, she may as well do some polyp excisions.

27 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

That's insane.

Yes, it’s absolutely insane that the likes of Singham and Soros fund uncivilized antisocial anarchy.

3 hours ago, Hummin said:

I thought Antifa was an idea about being Antifascist

I was joking!!

Not that I support this kind of demonstrations, but at least some people were attending Trump's events.

Finally the good guys get to march.

Some fresh air after the pride parades last month.

4 hours ago, BLMFem said:

No, you don't understand, this is ANTIFA!😂

Ah, Ingraham, you meant to say "no one, except Trump's ICE stormtroopers".

Members here, as well as clowns in State Media of Trumpistan, are simply incapable of accepting that under their tent are welcome far right fascist racist scum.

If not for racists, fascists, misogynists and Incels, Trump's cult could fit in an old phone booth or a Volkswagon Beetle.

1 hour ago, novacova said:

Yes, it’s absolutely insane that the likes of Singham and Soros fund uncivilized antisocial anarchy.

You can offer definitive proof these Incels are Soros-funded, or you're just an antisemite, as are the vast majority who see Soros' hand in anything they don't like?

2 hours ago, Jingthing said:

That's insane.

I guess it's easier than to admit his side contains white supremacists garbage.

3 hours ago, Jim Waldron said:

Only in a country blessed with such expansive First Amendment freedoms could a group celebrate Independence Day by parading symbols of division while insisting it represents patriotism.

It’s a remarkable system!

One that protects every voice, even those determined to shout past the meaning of the day.

Freedom of speech is wonderful.

1 hour ago, FlorC said:

Finally the good guys get to march.

Some fresh air after the pride parades last month.

At least at the pride parades people weren’t hiding behind masks, and their flags stand for inclusion not division!

America under Trump is fast descending into a <deleted>-hole country,

I support freedom of protest but I wonder if making covering your face should be made illegal.

If these fascists believe in this sheit, man up and own it!

Bunch of pussies really.

I personally knew the great gay civil rights pioneer Franklin Kameny.

He protested. In public. Full face showing. His name public. When there were dire personal consequences which he did suffer.

Now that's a REAL man!

And Air Force Major Jason Watson stood peacefully on the Capitol steps and was arrested!

Watson was first escorted to the bottom of the steps by Rep. Al Green, D-Texas, who then left the area, causing the officers to arrest Watson under 22-1307 Crowding, Obstructing and Incommoding.

Air Force major arrested on Capitol steps during protest calling for Trump impeachment

8 minutes ago, animalmagic said:

And Air Force Major Jason Watson stood peacefully on the Capitol steps and was arrested!

Watson was first escorted to the bottom of the steps by Rep. Al Green, D-Texas, who then left the area, causing the officers to arrest Watson under 22-1307 Crowding, Obstructing and Incommoding.

Air Force major arrested on Capitol steps during protest calling for Trump impeachment

As he should have been.

15 hours ago, FlorC said:

Finally the good guys get to march

Where was ICE? This private white supremacist group should be following the POTUS official fascist organization.

Imagine what is going through this poor chap's head.

Notice that these guys did not go to Anacostia, DC's notorious crime center*. The hard boys would have taken care of them alright.

*presently the crime center of DC is Capitol Hill/Supreme Court building/ and of course The Presidential Palace (wink!)

https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/investigations/3497190/ward-8-washington-dc-homicide-rate-similar-juarez-mexico/

Notice how the tradition in the US for racist organizations is to cover the faces, almost like they know they are shameful and can't bear to look at themselves going such stuff.

WARNING: some foul language

51 minutes ago, bendejo said:

Imagine what is going through this poor chap's head.

Notice that these guys did not go to Anacostia, DC's notorious crime center*. The hard boys would have taken care of them alright.

*presently the crime center of DC is Capitol Hill/Supreme Court building/ and of course The Presidential Palace (wink!)

https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/investigations/3497190/ward-8-washington-dc-homicide-rate-similar-juarez-mexico/

Notice how the tradition in the US for racist organizations is to cover the faces, almost like they know they are shameful and can't bear to look at themselves going such stuff.

I guess they replaced the white sheets and hoods with those ball caps and face shields.

I bet they bought them at Trump's White House Grift Shop.

As many know, Trump's own father was arrested at a KKK meeting a long time ago. "Dad" wasn't protesting the Klan, by the way. Later, both dad and Donald were charged with discriminatory practices, after refusing to rent their apartments to people of color.

Someone above says the US is descending into an s-hole country. I think it's more, "Houston, the s-hole has landed."

Trump has given the all clear for racists to climb out from under their rocks and be as racist as can be. Not so surprising that exercising free speech comes with certain caveats under Trump. Racists are free to exercise as they wish, such as the Tikitorch march in Charlottesville in Trump 1.0 ("Jews will not replace us!") and this group of likely Incels now.

Others, however are not given that right, such as (in Trump 1.0) when peaceful protesters in Lafayette Park across from the WH were beaten and tear gassed by Trump's goons, just so Trump could stand in front of a church holding a Bible upside down in a photo op. In Trump 2.0, protest---even bending over to aid a woman beaten by Trump's ICE stormtroopers---can get you 10 bullets in your back.