Days before the Nov. 3 presidential election, business owners and residents in the nation’s capital had serious concerns of mass rioting and threats of violence. Just off Capitol Hill, most businesses could be observed boarding up in anticipation of potential looting, especially after the summer’s dangerous wave of violence, including near the White House and federal buildings.

Thankfully, election night did not break out into mass riots. But, less than two weeks later, supporters of President Trump converged on the nation’s capital, exercising their First Amendment right to protest potential voter fraud and to stand in solidarity with the commander in chief. Their peaceful protest, appropriately held in our nation’s capital city, became the target of violence as dusk settled in, with rioters filling the streets intent on clashing with the march attendees.