Hundreds of law enforcement officers have mobilised across Washington as thousands of supporters who refuse to accept President Donald Trump's election loss flooded the nation's capital in protest.
It comes as Congress gathered to put the final stamp on President-elect Joe Biden's victory.
Crowds stormed barricades around the Capitol building, some protesters clashing with authorities.
Some buildings were evacuated as tensions rose.
Thousands of protesters gathered around the Washington Monument on Wednesday morning as the Elton John song "Tiny Dancer" played from loud speakers.
READ MORE: US Democratic run-off candidate has Australian-born mum
The song was interrupted by an announcement telling people to leave behind backpacks, chairs and flagpoles so people could get through a security checkpoint.
Hundreds of people carried flags. Some were American, some were Trump 2020 flags, at least one said "F–K BIDEN" with the letter U replaced by a flag symbol.
https://twitter.com/JoeBiden/status/1346891030055022592?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
As part of their preparations, police posted signs around the district warning of the illegality of gun possession during protests as Mr Trump tweeted his support for the protesters, saying, "Our Country has had enough, they won't take it anymore!" and "We Hear you (and love you) from the Oval Office."
https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1346822610957561858?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
The Department of Homeland Security, which has staffed a "Virtual Situation Room" to help communication between different agencies, is "not currently tracking any active threats," spokesman Alexei Woltornist said.
Mr Trump travelled a short distance from the White House to the rally on Wednesday morning.
About 20 aides were outside awaiting Mr Trump's departure, audibly shouting "Save our country" as he boarded his SUV.
Mr Trump gave a fist bump and appeared to blow a kiss.
Mr Trump addressed a large, tightly packed and largely maskless crowd of supporters on the Ellipse.
His remarks got off to an inauspicious start as Mr Trump's microphone appeared to be turned off as he began speaking.
"We can't hear you!" members of the audience were heard shouting on the video feed, though he appeared unaware and kept speaking.
Moments later, audio was restored, and Mr Trump was railing against the media.
Mr Trump's speech included calls for his vice president to step outside his constitutional bounds and overturn the results of the election.
"Hope Mike is going to do the right thing," Mr Trump said at a rally on the Ellipse. "If Mike Pence does the right thing, we win the election."
Mr Pence released a letter he wrote to congress on Wednesday just after noon, saying he wouldn't object to Mr Biden's victory.
https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1346698217304584192?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
A large glass barrier shielded Mr Trump from the crowd, similar to when he spoke in front of the Lincoln Memorial on the Fourth of July 2019.
Ahead of Mr Trump's speech, Rudy Giuliani was addressing the rally on the Ellipse, baselessly repeating claims that voting machines were "crooked," and continuing to insist that Mr Pence can do something today to change the election's outcome, which he does not have power to do. There is no evidence of widespread voter fraud.
"Let's have trial by combat!" Mr Giuliani told the enthusiastic crowd.
DC Mayor Muriel Bowser said the District is "absolutely prepared" for protests and announced that that at least ten people were arrested overnight related to the protests.
https://twitter.com/DanScavino/status/1346584866964598785?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
At least one person was arrested for carrying an unlicensed gun and six people were charged with assault, including one for assaulting a police officer.
"We had several arrests related to that activity, but not a single one of them was a DC resident," she said.
Authorities – a mix that includes local police, National Guard and federal uniformed officers – had already arrested several people ahead of demonstrations including the leader of the Proud Boys, a far-right group that Trump directly addressed during an autumn debate to "stand back and stand by."
https://twitter.com/LexiDaish/status/1346882378485022720?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
The Proud Boys' leader, Henry Tarrio, who goes by Enrique Tarrio, was released from police custody on Tuesday on charges related to a protest last month and ordered by a local judge to stay out of DC as he awaits trial, including during this week's protests.
Gun-free zones
In the days leading up to Wednesday's planned march, police posted signs declaring areas where they expect protesters gun-free zones between Monday and Thursday. "ALL firearms prohibited within 1000 feet of this sign," they read, taped to light poles.
https://twitter.com/BarackObama/status/1346883245447778306?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
Protesters dressed in pro-Trump regalia gathered on Tuesday across the city while others posted photos of their travel to Wednesday's rally on social media.
Several speakers on Tuesday led the crowds in chants of "four more years," even as Mr Trump has all but exhausted legal avenues for turning the tide against Mr Biden.
One after another, speakers put forth claims that the election was stolen, imploring people to "fight" for victory on Wednesday.
Mr Trump's loss has been reaffirmed by courts and state election officials dozens of times since the election.