In November, citizens of the United States decided who would be the nation’s next president, electing Donald Trump to fill that position. Following one of the most divisive presidential elections in U.S. history, Trump has become a symbol of controversy for many Americans.
Following Trump’s close victory, thousands of people gathered in major cities across the U.S. to protest. Signs reading “Not My President,” “Dump Trump,” and other anti-Trump statements were commonplace, with many protesters expressing fear and worry over the actions, policies, and statements made by Trump.
On November 10 in Portland, Oregon, protests turned violent after protestors clashed with police. The Portland Police Department declared that the protest was a “riot” due to “extensive criminal and dangerous behavior.” Similar actions of protest have gripped the nation from close to home in Washington, DC to college campuses throughout the nation.
Others have taken different actions in response to the election, calling for a recount of votes in several states with close election results. The request for a recount was initiated by Jill Stein, the presidential candidate for the Green Party, but a recount has also gained support from Clinton supporters who hope a recount could change the election results. On Twitter, president-elect Trump stated that “I won the popular vote if you deduct the millions of people who voted illegally.” Trump cited “serious voter fraud in Virginia, New Hampshire and California” as the cause for his loss of the popular vote. No actual evidence of any voter fraud has been reported, but it is possible voter fraud could be uncovered by a recount.