'It was a non-event': U.S. capitals see few protesters after bracing for violence
Violence In America,Joe Biden,Inauguration,Biden Inauguration,Elections,2020 Election
Law enforcement officers far outnumbered protesters at state capitol grounds on Sunday, as few Trump supporters who believe the president’s false claim that he won the 2020 election turned out for what authorities feared could be violent demonstrations. More than a dozen states activated National Guard troops to help secure their capitol buildings following an FBI warning of armed demonstrations, with right-wing extremists emboldened by the deadly attack on the U.S. Capitol in Washington on Jan. 6.
Security officials had eyed Sunday as the first major flashpoint, as that is when the anti-government “boogaloo” movement made plans weeks ago to hold rallies in all 50 states.
But by late Sunday afternoon, only handfuls of demonstrators had taken to the streets alongside much larger crowds of law enforcement officers and media personnel.
Related Coverage
AllSides Picks
Red Blue Translator
Police Brutality
Headline Roundup
Texas GOP Focus on Islam: 'Islamophobia' or 'Protecting Against Sharia Law'?
August 17th, 2026
Headline Roundup
Why Did Trump Scale Back Military Exercises With South Korea?
August 17th, 2026
Recommended Reading
When Establishment Democrats Dodge a Bullet
Dan Schnur
August 17th, 2026