VIOLENT clashes broke out across America with more than 270 arrested in Washington DC as cops and protesters battled just streets away from the presidential parade.
Riot cops used pepper spray and stun grenades to break up crowds as fights broke out, windows were smashed and fires lit in the streets as Americans protested against the inauguration of President Donald Trump.
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Anti-Trump protesters set bins on fire during clashes in Washington DC todayCredit: Getty Images
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Protesters and cops clash in Washington DC today after the inauguration of Donald TrumpCredit: Getty Images
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A limousine was set alight amid the chaos of today's protestsCredit: Getty Images
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A protester burns a Donald Trump T-shirt on the streets of Washington DC todayCredit: AP:Associated Press
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Dozens of protesters are hit with pepper spray during chaotic scenes in Washington todayCredit: AP:Associated Press
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A protester holding a sign reading impeach takes a picture amid the chaos in Washington todayCredit: Getty Images
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Cops used the spray to disperse demonstrators furious as the prospect of a Donald Trump presidencyCredit: Getty Images
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A limousine was set on fire in Washington DC today as Trump was sworn in as the 45th President of the United StatesCredit: Reuters
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Donald Trump takes the Presidential oath today as he becomes the 45th President of the United StatesCredit: Reuters
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A woman has milk poured into her eyes after being pepper sprayed by copsCredit: Reuters
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A protester is pulled to the ground during the violent demonstrations todayCredit: Getty Images
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Shop windows were also smashed by masked protesters just hours before Trump was due to be inauguratedCredit: Rex Features
Masked protesters were pictured across Washington DC before yesterday's inauguration ceremony, some armed with hammers and crowbars.
Confrontations began an hour before Trump took the oath of office and escalated several hours later as the crowds swelled to more than 1,000, some wearing gas masks and with arms chained together.
When some crossed police lines, taunting "put the pigs in the ground," police charged with batons and pepper spray, as well as stun grenades.
The city appeared to have become a virtual war-zone and clashes continued throughout the day.
Just streets away from Trump's inaugural parade route another chaotic confrontation saw pepper spray and stun grenades launched by cops.
Firefighters put out blazes in Washington DC todayCredit: Reuters
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Protesters flee as tear gas is sprayed in Washington DC today amid demonstrationsCredit: Getty Images
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A protester screams as cops and protesters clash in Washington DCCredit: Getty Images
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Cops fire pepper spray as protests turned ugly on the streets of Washington DC todayCredit: AP:Associated Press
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A protester is stopped by police amid demonstrations in the capital city todayCredit: Splash News
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A demonstrator smashes the window of a limousine during a march before Trump's inaugurationCredit: Rex Features
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A cop armed with a pepper spray gun screams at demonstratorsCredit: Getty Images
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Singer Lily Allen spoke to Trump protesters in London todayCredit: Twitter
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A protester is dragged away from the riots by copsCredit: Getty Images
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A protester lies on the ground as clashes break out in the capitalCredit: EPA
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Groups fuming about controversial billionaire Republican Trump's attitude to women, race, immigration, climate chance and drugs were among those taking to the streets in Washington.
Hostile demonstrations also unfolded at security checkpoints near the Capitol as police in riot gear helped ticket-holders get through to the inaugural ceremony.
Two police officers sustained minor injuries as a fast-moving group whipped down several main streets, just streets away from the White House.
An AFP reporter saw National Guardsmen donning riot gear, as masked protesters blocked traffic and set fire to bins chanting "Not my president" and "We resist President Trump."
Presenter Larry King tweeted that the windows of his hired SUV had been smashed by protesters.
He said: "I was working in-studio & am ok, but my driver is a bit rattled."
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Riot police are out in Washington today as some protests turn violentCredit: Getty Images
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Tear gas has been used against protesters in America's capitalCredit: Rex Features
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A protester is stopped by cops in Washington D.C todayCredit: Rex Features
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A masked protester flees as shop windows are smashed during the riotsCredit: Reuters
The DisruptJ20 coalition, named after the date of the inauguration, had promised that people participating in its actions in Washington would attempt to shut down the celebrations, risking arrest when necessary.
Eleanor Goldfield, who helped organise the Disrupt J20 protest, said protesters wanted to show Trump and his "misguided, misinformed or just plain dangerous" supporters that they won't be silent.
Public interest lawyer Renee Steinhagen, 61, came down from New York to join the protests.
"I'm doing this to express resistance to the change that await us," she said.
"This administration seems more extreme than any other. This is a simple act of resistance. It's better than staying at home."
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A man wearing a Donald Trump mask with a Pinocchio-style long nose is picturedCredit: Getty Images
Trump supporter Brett Ecker said the protesters were frustrating but weren't going to ruin his day.
"They're just here to stir up trouble," said the 36-year-old teacher.
"It upsets me a little bit that people choose to do this, but yet again it's one of the things I love about this country."
At one checkpoint, protesters wore orange jumpsuits with black hoods over their faces to represent prisoners in U.S. detention at Guantanamo Bay.
Black Lives Matter and feminist groups were also active.
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Cops surround a group of protesters sitting on the groundCredit: EPA
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Groups incensed by Trump's views on women and immigrants are among those riotingCredit: Reuters
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A protester holds a sign labelling Trump a "scumbag"Credit: Splash News
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A woman taking part in the furious protests is grabbed by copsCredit: AP:Associated Press
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Environmental protesters hold a sign protesting the Trump presidencyCredit: EPA
Hundreds had also gathered outside the National Press Club, where the "DeploraBall" was being held.
The name is a play on a campaign remark by Hillary Clinton, who once referred to many of Trump's supporters as a "basket of deplorables."
Police used chemical spray on some protesters in an effort to control the unruly crowd.
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Protesters wearing face masks demonstrate on the streetsCredit: EPA
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Cops grab a protester found demonstrating on the groundCredit: AP:Associated Press
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A protester holds a sign showing Trump kissing Russian president Vladimir PutinCredit: Getty Images
One video posted online shows Trump supporter James Allsup wearing a white Make America Great Again hat while debating with a Trump critic in the streets.
Members of an anti-fascist group then wave a flag behind him before someone snatches his hat from his head.
A violent scuffle breaks out as Allsup wrestles with protesters and is hit in the face.
He wrote: "A masked protester tried to steal my MAGA hat. I caught him, his buddy suckerpunched me in the face, and his buddy got tasered and arrested."
Photographs have been shared on social media purporting to show him left with a bloody head wound after being hit by a flag pole, reported to have occurred in separate incident.
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A masked protester punches Trump supporter James Allsup in the headCredit: YouTube: James Allsup
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The brawl was sparked by a Trump demonstrator taking his hat from his headCredit: YouTube: James Allsup
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Allsup was later pictured with a bleeding head after allegedly being hit by a flag poleCredit: Twitter
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He said he went to hospital and received five staples in his head for the injuryCredit: Twitter
Crowds massed outside the American embassy in London to protest Trump's inauguration.
Protests were also seen in Berlin, Mexico City, Canada, Belgium and Ireland.
A massive Women's March on Washington is planned for today, with a similar march in London and other cities.
Christopher Geldart, the District of Columbia's homeland security director, has said 1,800 busses were registered to park in the city on Saturday, which could mean nearly 100,000 people coming in just by bus.
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Anti-Trump protesters burn an effigy of U.S. President Donald Trump in front of the U.S. Embassy in Montreal, CanadaCredit: Reuters
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Protesters outside the US embassy in London todayCredit: Getty Images
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Anti Trump protesters were also seen in Belfast today as he was sworn into officeCredit: Pacemaker Press
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Protests were also seen in BrusselsCredit: PA:Press Association
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Protesters in San Francisco formed a human chain along the Golden Gate Bridge in a display of unityCredit: Getty Images
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Up to 3,000 people joined the protest against President Donald Trump, who was sworn in todayCredit: Getty Images
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As Donald Trump was sworn in demonstrators in California scattered out across rain-swept streetsCredit: AP:Associated Press
There were more peaceful demonstrations in San Francisco as up to 3,000 people showed unity against the new president by wearing purple rain jackets and holding hands to form a human chain across the Golden Gate Bridge.
Jim Bendat, an expert on inaugural history, said significant protests surrounding Inauguration Day go back at least to 1913, when suffragettes marched down Pennsylvania Avenue.
Richard Nixon's first and second inaugurations drew memorable protests, he said, with demonstrators at the second inauguration angry about the Vietnam War.
During President George W. Bush's 2001 inauguration, demonstrators along the parade route turned their backs as the president passed by and others held signs like "Hail to the thief," suggesting Bush had stolen the election from Democrat Al Gore.
At least one egg thrown from the crowd hit the presidential limousine. In 2005, demonstrators disrupted Bush's inaugural address.
Bendat said it's to be expected that after such a contentious election, demonstrators will come to Washington to express their opinions.
"That's part of democracy, too," he said.
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A supporter wears underpants with Trump printed across his backsideCredit: Getty Images
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People on the National Mall a short time before Donald J. Trump is sworn in as the 45th President of the United States in WashingtonCredit: EPA
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A Trump supporter with his face painted is pictured attending his inauguration ceremonyCredit: Reuters
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A man dressed as Trump gestures at passing trafficCredit: Getty Images
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