Pro-Trump march turns violent as counter-protesters clash with demonstrators

A pro-Trump march descended into chaos after counter-protesters clashed with the President’s supporters, with the scene quickly turning violent.

Trump supporters and counter-protesters have clashed in wild scenes at Pacific Beach in San Diego on Saturday.

A pro-Trump “Patriot March’’ that was scheduled for 2pm quickly descended into chaos after counter-protesters also arrived at the pier where about 100 Trump supporters had gathered.

The counter-protesters were dressed in black, many saying they were Black Lives Matter supporters and others describing themselves as anti-fascists and wearing Antifa clothing.

Tempers started to flare at about 1pm when the two groups clashed, with screaming matches breaking out between the protesters.

As the situation continued to escalate police officers were struck with glass bottles, eggs and rocks according to the San Diego Police Department.

RELATED: Follow our live blog for more US updates

Counter-protesters used pepper spray as they clashed with Trump supporters during the ‘Patriot March’ demonstration. Picture: Patrick T. Fallon/AFP

A pro-Trump demonstrator attending the march tears up a sign. Picture: Patrick T. Fallon/AFP

RELATED: Warning US violence ‘could get worse’

Footage from the scene shows a group of Antifa protesters confronting a smaller group of pro-Trump marchers.

One man can be heard yelling “f**k Trump” as the two groups square off against each other.

One of the Antifa members then pulls out a can and sprays an unknown orange substance into the faces of the Trump supporters.

As the Trump group run away covering their faces, the counter-protesters pursue them, throwing objects and yelling, “Go home b**ches”.

Police declared the protest unlawful at about 2.30pm due to the continued violence.

“Those who remain or return against this lawful order may be cited/arrested and risk exposure to chemical agents and less-lethal force applications,” police said in a tweet.

Counter-protesters clashed with pro-Trump demonstrators. Picture: Patrick T. Fallon/AFP

Police officers fired pepper balls at counter-protesters. Picture: Patrick T. Fallon/AFP

Tensions on both sides of the political divide are extremely high less than a week after pro-Trump rioters stormed the US Capitol building, with both Democratic and Republican leaders condemning the President, accusing him of inciting the attack.

Five people, including a police officer, were killed in the riots.

Government officials inside the building, which included Vice President Mike Pence, were forced to either hide or evacuate as rioters breached the Capitol.

Multiple arrests have been made following the attack, with the most recent being two men who were arrested and charged on Sunday.

Larry Rendell Brock and Eric Gavelek Munchel were both charged with one count of knowingly entering or remaining in any restricted building or grounds without lawful authority and one count of violent entry and disorderly conduct on Capitol grounds.

“It is alleged that Brock was identified as one of the individuals who unlawfully entered the US Capitol wearing a green helmet, green tactical vest with patches, black and camo jacket, and beige pants holding a white flex cuff, which is used by law enforcement to restrain and/or detain subjects,” a statement from the US Attorney’s Office said.

RELATED: Capitol rot mob’s chilling plan

Riot police tried to push back the crowd as they stormed the Capitol building. Picture: Roberto Schmidt/AFP

Protesters gather outside the US Capitol Building in Washington, DC. Picture: Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images/AFP

Mr Munchel is alleged to have been pictured “carrying plastic restraints, an item in a holster on his right hip, and a cell phone mounted on his chest with the camera facing outward”.

Authorities are still working to identify other rioters that were pictured at the Capitol.

An increasing number of Republicans are now calling for Mr Trump’s resignation.

Pennsylvania Senator Pat Toomey accused the 74-year-old of spiralling “into madness” and said the best thing for the US would be is he went away “as soon as possible”.

“The President spiralled down into a kind of madness that was different. I’m sorry if people don’t acknowledge that. I think what he did this past week is wildly different from the offensive tweets that were common during his presidency,” he told NBC News.

Actor and former governor of California, Arnold Schwarzenegger, also issued a scathing take-down of Mr Trump, branding his the “worst president ever”.

“President Trump sought to overturn the results of an election, and of a fair election. He sought a coup by misleading people with lies,” he said in a video posted to Twitter.

“President Trump is a failed leader. He will go down in history as the worst president ever. The good thing is he will soon be as irrelevant as an old tweet.”