As Joe Biden is declared the victor, some celebrate while others protest

Tamara Scott, from the Republican National Committee in Iowa, addresses Trump supporters (©eu.desmoinesregister.com)

A few hundred supporters of President Donald Trump rallied at the Iowa State Capitol on Saturday shortly after Democrat Joe Biden was declared the winner of the 2020 presidential election. 

The pro-Trump crowd of about 300 people circled speakers to listen as they vowed to keep fighting. 

"He's fighting, and he will fight until the end," state Sen. Brad Zaun, R-Urbandale, said through a bullhorn. Zaun reminded the crowd he was the first legislator to endorse Trump before the 2016 Iowa caucuses.

The crowd chanted "USA" and "Stop the Steal." 

"I want a fair election," said Des Moines resident Hollie Davidson, 44. "I want the truth. I want the cheating to stop and we're going to stand by our president to the end." 

Although Trump and other Republicans have decried election theft, evidence of election fraud is diminishingly rare and partisan and non-partisan officials observe the election counting procedures in Iowa and across the country.

Rallygoers said they have felt "disappointed" by the election results. 

"If the Republicans maintain the majority in the Senate, I don't think a lot will change," said Des Moines resident and rallygoer Jerry Pitts, 72. "If Biden (is) able to ram everything through that he wants, I think that's going to be devastating for our country." 

Control of the U.S. Senate for the next session is currently tied, 48 to 48, after Tuesday's election. Georgia will hold run-off elections in January, given the closeness of two races between Democratic and Republican candidates for Senate in that state.

Tamara Scott, a Republican National Committeewoman in Iowa, answered questions from the crowd. Many wanted to know why Republicans weren't in the rooms where ballots were being counted. Scott explained that they were.

The crowd dispersed after about an hour, after taking a group photo in front of the Capitol and a few stragglers argued with officials.

Nearby at Des Moines' Cowles Commons, the Iowa CCI Action Fund, Des Moines Black Liberation Collective and Iowa Student Action organized a concurrent rally colored with a celebration of Democrats' victory.

The crowd there was of similar size to that at the Capitol, but attendees were more spaced out and were largely wearing masks.

"I feel like my family's lives might matter," said Tina Deng, 21, from South Sudan, to the cheering crowd. "I feel like my friends' lives might matter. I feel like every Black life might matter."

Iowa House Rep. Ako Abdul-Samad, D-Des Moines, said he is glad Biden won but there's a lot of work left to be done. 

"If we don't [do the work] then nothing gets resolved," Abdul-Samad said. "We also cannot expect a miracle to happen — this is a marathon, this is not a sprint." 

While that group marched toward the Capitol, a caravan of cars with "Trump 2020" flags were honking and their drivers were shouting nearby. The two groups did not clash despite their disagreement over the outcome of the presidential race.