A group of self-described “superfans” of President-elect Donald Trump gathered outside the White House Wednesday morning to welcome him back to the building he once called home.
Roughly a dozen people stood in front of the White House security perimeter holding signs reading, “Make America Great Again” and “Dream Big Again.” They said they want to let Mr. Trump know he has supporters in deep-blue Washington.
“I’m here to welcome him back. I did local campaigning for him and talked to all sorts of voters. The more I talked to voters, the more I wanted him back in the White House,” Angelus Virata of Arlington, Virginia told The Washington Times.
The Trump supporters lined up early in the morning ahead of Mr. Trump’s Oval Office sit-down with President Biden. A traditionalist, Mr. Biden held the meeting as part of his pledge to ensure a smooth transition between the two administrations.
Mr. Biden offered the visit to Mr. Trump, even though a White House invitation in 2020, when he beat Mr. Trump, was never accorded. Amid Mr. Trump’s contesting of the election, he refused to concede and broke longstanding tradition by not inviting Mr. Biden to the White House.
Fans of the president-elect say all that’s in the past and it’s time to focus on what Mr. Trump will do in office.
“In his first term, he fixed the economy, kept us out of wars, made us great again and then Biden comes in and wrecks it all,” said Stephen Link of Towson, Maryland, who said he voted for Mr. Trump in 2016, 2020 and 2024.
Daniel Treacy of Arlington said he was standing outside because he had hoped Mr. Trump would spot him and understand that even if he didn’t win Washington and its suburbs, some people in the capital region have his back.
Vice President Kamala Harris captured 92.5% of the vote in Washington, compared to 6.7% for Mr. Trump last week. Maryland and Virginia, the two states that border Washington, also went for Ms. Harris with strong support from the D.C. suburbs.
“I’m wearing my MAGA hat and I don’t have that opportunity living in Arlington,” Mr. Treacy said. “I want to send a message that he’s got support in this blue area.”
• Jeff Mordock can be reached at jmordock@washingtontimes.com.
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