Six protesters arrested during clashes with police ahead of pro-Trump rallies in DC

On the eve of several rallies planned in support of President Donald Trump, protesters seeking to bolster the president's claims of widespread voter fraud clashed with police Tuesday night in Washington, DC.

Videos posted to social media showed authorities restraining crowds of pro-Trump demonstrators. Mace was used to mitigate the chaos.

A line of cops appeared to take a women into custody while other patriots seemed to scuffle with officers. The conservatives retreated when authorities unleashed pepper spray.

A woman at that site was left bloodied from the altercation.

Trump supporters recited the Pledge of Allegiance as the continued to face off over the blocking of Black Lives Matter Plaza, the two-block-long pedestrian section of 16th Street NW painted with 35-foot yellow capital letters as part of the George Floyd protests. "F— BLM" was repeatedly chanted, independent reporter Brendan Gutenschwager captured. "F— Antifa" was also exchanged.

One person was taken to the hospital, the DC Fire and Emergency Medical Services Department cited. The Metropolitan Police Department reported six arrests as of 10:00 p.m. Tuesday night, the DCist reported.

"You lost both sides of support. We had your f—ing back, but we ain't got your back no more!" one critic shouted back at police following the night's climax. "We're the business owners. We're the veterans."

Some suspects face multiple charges, including carrying a pistol without a license, carrying a rifle without a license, high capacity feeding device, unregistered ammunition, unregistered firearm, assault on a police officer, simple assault, possession of a prohibited weapon (taser), traffic-related offense, and possession of illegal fireworks.

Federal law bars guns from being carried on US Capitol grounds and in National Park Service areas such as Freedom Plaza, the Ellipse, and the National Mall. It's illegal to open carry firearms in DC, which does not have reciprocity with the concealed pistol licenses of other states. There's also signage located throughout the downtown area on meters and street lamps explaining that all firearms are prohibited within 1,000 feet of the allocated signs.

Participants donned the iconic red "Make America Great Again" hats while others waved Trump campaign flags. Rally-goers yelled, "Whose House? Our House!"

City officials braced for anticipated civil unrest on Wednesday when Congress is set to certify the results of President-elect Joe Biden's election win over Trump. Businesses boarded up ahead of this week's activities as police patrolled on bicycle.

Road closures and parking restrictions were placed into effect early Tuesday and the clamp-down on traffic downtown will continue through Thursday.

"Make no mistake," DC Attorney General Karl Racine told WRC. "Many of these individuals have stated that they are coming to the District to provoke residents and wreak havoc."

Acting Defense Secretary Christopher Miller agreed to deploy the National Guard to the city to assist local law enforcement with crowd management and traffic control, CNN reported. However, the troops will reportedly be limited in their duties. No personnel shall be armed during this mission or engaged in domestic surveillance, searches, or seizures of individuals, DC Mayor Muriel Browser told the network.

Trump has refused to concede the race and continues to maintain that the 2020 presidential election was rigged against him. His followers flocked to the nation's capital to protest the expected confirmation of Biden's victory.

The president also announced that he will hold his "Save America Rally" at 11 a.m. on Wednesday at The Ellipse lawn in President's Park near the White House. Hundreds already gathered at Freedom Plaza by Tuesday afternoon, a block from Trump's residence.

"Washington is being inundated with people who don't want to see an election victory stolen by emboldened Radical Left Democrats," Trump tweeted Tuesday, emboldening his base that refuses to stand down. "Our Country has had enough, they won’t take it anymore! We hear you (and love you) from the Oval Office."

"I hope the Democrats, and even more importantly, the weak and ineffective RINO section of the Republican Party, are looking at the thousands of people pouring into D.C. They won’t stand for a landslide election victory to be stolen," the president added minutes later.