Proud Boys clash violently with Antifa at Trump rally

US President Donald Trump took to Twitter to condemn Antifa while praising his supporters, including Proud Boys, who fought back.

NOVEMBER 15, 2020 11:35

Supporters of U.S. President Trump protest against election results, in Washington (photo credit: REUTERS/JIM URQUHART) — Supporters of U.S. President Trump protest against election results, in Washington

(photo credit: REUTERS/JIM URQUHART)

Supporters of US President Donald Trump, including the far-right group Proud Boys, rallied together in Washington on Saturday, backing his claims of a "stolen election," but the situation quickly devolved into violence as night fell when Trump supporters clashed with counter-protesters, The Associated Press reported.

According to videos uploaded to social media, left-wing counter-protesters including Antifa members fought with Trump supporters in fistfights, along with throwing projectiles. According to AP, police arrested at least 20 people at the protests, with one stabbing reported and several firearms confiscated.

CNN reported that a wide range of Trump supporter groups banded together to make their voices heard at the rally. Notably present were the Proud Boys, as well as the Three Percenters, another far-right group. A Proud Boys leader recently made headlines by attempting to redefine the group as positively antisemitic.

The Oath Keepers, one of the few anti-government groups, were also at the rally, in addition to various Republican members of Congress and conspiracy theorist Alex Jones.

Promoted on social media as the Million MAGA March, the protests come as Trump still insists he won the election, despite widespread consensus giving victory to Democratic rival and now President-elect Joe Biden.

Trump later took to Twitter to call out Antifa and praise the supporters who fought back.

ANTIFA SCUM ran for the hills today when they tried attacking the people at the Trump Rally, because those people aggressively fought back. Antifa waited until tonight, when 99% were gone, to attack innocent #MAGA People. DC Police, get going — do your job and don’t hold back!!!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 15, 2020

"ANTIFA SCUM ran for the hills today when they tried attacking the people at the Trump Rally, because those people aggressively fought back," he tweeted. "Antifa waited until tonight, when 99% were gone, to attack innocent #MAGA People. DC Police, get going — do your job and don’t hold back!!!"