Montpelier Police Chief Brian Peete serves as peacemaker as supporters of President Donald Trump and President-elect Joe Biden exchange shouts at the State House on Saturday, Nov. 7. Photo by Carla Occaso
Shortly after former Vice President Joe Biden was projected to win the presidency Saturday, supporters of President Donald Trump exchanged shouts with Biden supporters on the steps of the Vermont State House.
Some heated exchanges broke out on the steps of the Vermont State House in Montpelier on Nov. 7, 2020, shortly after it was announced that former Vice President Joe Biden had won enough electoral college votes to become president. Photo by Carla Occaso.
About 40 Trump supporters with flags converged at the top of the State House steps at about 1 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 7. The Trump group claimed that the vote count was illegitimate. No evidence of significant voter fraud has been reported.
Montpelier Police Chief Brian Peete talked to people on both sides trying to keep the peace.
Supporters of President Donald Trump and President-elect Joe Biden exchange shouts at the State House on Saturday, Nov. 7. Photo by Carla Occaso
“All I know is, they came up and everyone else came out to yell at them,” Peete told The Bridge. He said he did not know if they were part of an organized group.
With a Trump flag in one hand and a “Don’t Tread on Me” flag in the other, Eleanor Newmeyer of Rutland said she was not called here by any person or group, but that she knew “something was going to happen.” She said votes coming in after Election Day should not be counted. She said the Legislature should pick the president.
Dozens of Biden supporters came out as well holding handmade signs calling for healing and protecting the vote.
Supporters of President Donald Trump and President-elect Joe Biden exchange shouts at the State House on Saturday, Nov. 7. Photo by Carla OccasoTrump supporters traveled from various parts of Vermont to the Vermont State House Nov. 7 to show support for President Donald Trump and to claim the 2020 presidential election results were illegitimate on the day former Vice President Joe Biden received enough electoral college votes to win. Photo by Carla Occaso.
