One supporter of former President Donald Trump was left very disappointed on Joe Biden’s Inauguration Day when he was the only protestor to be found.
Following the deadly Capitol insurrection a few weeks ago, law enforcement braced for the possibility of other right-wing violence as Biden was set to take office. While officials warned Trump loyalists were planning more armed protests in all 50 states, ultimately no dramatic rallies ever materialised.
A few very sparse pro-Trump demonstrations happened around the country – one drawing just a single participant.
A photograph of New York resident and Biden-objector Mark Leggiero went viral on Wednesday, after he was captured as a lone protestor by Spectrum News reporter Morgan Mckay .
Leggiero said he drove 45 minutes to New York’s capital, Albany, with the intention of joining a peaceful protest with "a few thousand" other Trump supporters.
Mark Leggiero is the one lone Trump supporter out in front of the NYS Capitol. He says he expected a few thousand p… https://t.co/sFCdEt9TNP— Morgan McKay (@Morgan McKay) 1611161200
"I was coming out to hopefully join a bunch of peaceful protesters in support of the cause, that’s is almost a lost cause now, unfortunately, I’m sad for me to say that," Leggiero told the Daily Gazette.
"I'm still gonna be a believer, a firm believer, and I'm still gonna back Mr. Trump 100 percent. He's always gonna be my president... He made a difference in my life... He gave me spirit he gave me pride, he wanted me to live free," he said.
The photo – which currently has more than 100 thousands likes on Twitter – shows Leggiero standing in front of the New York State Capitol, alone, waving a Trump flag.
Some people commented that they supported his right to peacefully protest, while others felt pity: “These people have been lied to for years and honestly on some level it’s heartbreaking,” one person wrote.
Social distancing at at Trump gathering. Finally. They get it. https://t.co/QhoYYkoaNw— Jeffrey Wright (@Jeffrey Wright) 1611184715
Others were less sympathetic and mocked the Trump supporter saying, “Welcome to reality”.
At least Trump supporters are finally getting one thing right: As Jeffrey Wright wrote, “Social distancing at at Trump gathering. Finally. They get it.”