Hundreds of masked men marched through the streets of Washington on the Fourth of July, carrying banners and flags, including the Confederate flag, as they chanted slogans like “Reclaim America!” and “Life, liberty, victory!”
The demonstration took place on the 250th anniversary of the United States’ inception, drawing attention as members of the neo-fascist organization Patriot Front gathered in the capital.
According to The Guardian, the group appeared to be led by Thomas Rousseau, the organization’s founder. Members gathered at Union Station, wearing white masks, tan pants, and dark blue shirts, before marching toward Capitol Hill. Per Politico, demonstrators also donned the group’s signature tan caps and sunglasses. The group was seen riding the DC Metro, where images by Reuters showed other riders watching them warily.
The Metropolitan police department told Politico and other outlets: “The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) is tracking First Amendment activities that occurred this morning in the Eastern Market neighborhood,” the department said. “MPD recognizes the rights of individuals to peacefully express their views and remains committed to maintaining public safety and security for DC residents and visitors.” The group reportedly left the city before 11:00 AM.
It was a day of demonstrations
The Patriot Front demonstration occurred while many people were in the city for the “Salute to America” celebration on the National Mall. Politico reports that the latter event was set to feature a speech by President Donald Trump and a fireworks show.
While the Patriot Front marched, the outlet noted that other demonstrators were also spotted walking toward the White House with a large banner of the Declaration of Independence. They chanted “8647,” a slogan calling for the president’s removal. It is the same symbol that had been etched onto the National Mall lawn.
The Straits Times noted that Interior Secretary Doug Burgum spoke with CNN on July 5th, where he was asked about the march. Burgum noted, “Certainly, what they stand for is nothing that I could possibly agree with. But one of the foundational principles of the United States, which makes democracy messy, is free speech.”
He further remarked, “There are plenty of things that I see that I might personally find offensive, irreprehensible. But in America, free speech is allowed.”
The Patriot Front is a white supremacist group
The Patriot Front was founded in 2017 by Thomas Ryan Rousseau following the Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville, Virginia. The Guardian reported that the organization has been described by the Southern Poverty Law Center as a white nationalist hate group that focuses on theatrical rhetoric and activism.
According to the group’s own website, they describe themselves as a “fraternal, nationalist, activist organization.” They also claim that their people must reforge themselves as a new collective.
Experts have previously highlighted the group’s unique approach to organizing. Morgan Moon, an investigative researcher with the ADL Center on Extremism, told The Guardian in 2022 that the group’s ability to finance, mobilize, and produce media functions is like that of a professional production company.
“No other white supremacist group operating in the US today is able to match Patriot Front’s ability to produce media, ability to mobilize across the country and ability to finance,” Moon said. “That’s what makes them a particular concern.”
Patriot Front members were reportedly last seen during the Memorial Day weekend at the Virginia Beach oceanfront. The White House did not respond to requests for comment regarding whether the president condemns the latest march in Washington.
Meanwhile, the current administration’s counterterrorism strategy, released in May, has shifted its focus to identify “violent leftwing extremists” as a primary terror threat. Per The Straits Times, the new strategy represents a departure from the priorities and ideologies of the previous administration.
As the country marked its 250th birthday, the presence of these masked marchers in the capital served as a stark reminder of the ongoing visibility of white supremacist organizations in the United States.
Published: Jul 6, 2026 04:01 am