Anti-Donald Trump protester ‘tries to set himself on fire’ outside Trump International Hotel in Washington DC
Demonstrator says he was angry the US had elected a president who is 'incapable of respecting the constitution'
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.A demonstrator attempted to set himself on fire outside the Trump International Hotel in Washington DC in protest at the President-elect before his inauguration on Friday.
Police and fire crews in the US capital responded to reports of a man on fire on Tuesday evening outside the hotel on Pennsylvania Avenue, a few blocks from the White House.
The incident happened 24 hours before Donald Trump made a visit to the same hotel.
Unconfirmed reports said the protester shouted “Trump” several times before using a lighter to start the small blaze.
The 45-year-old, from California, suffered burns and was taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
“I was trying to light myself on fire as an act of protest. Protesting the fact that we have elected somebody who is completely incapable of respecting the constitution of the United States,” he told NBC News.
It is not clear if he intended to set himself alight or was burned in the process of starting the fire.
The DC police department notified the Secret Service although the incoming president was not thought to be in Washington at the time.
A spokesman for the city’s fire department said: “We did arrive and did find a male adult with burns and we transported that patient to an area hospital with potential but not life-threatening burns.”
Security has been ramped up in Washington DC in the run up to Mr Trump’s inauguration.
On Wednesday evening the President-elect made a surprise visit to his Washington hotel, arriving with a lengthy motorcade for dinner at around 9.30pm.
Mr Trump will return to Washington for good on Thursday but will, as per tradition, stay at Blair House — the president's guest house — the night before his inauguration.
During his election campaign Mr Trump made regular unannounced visits to the hotel to check on its construction.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments