(Updated at 4:35 p.m.) President Donald Trump visited Arlington on Election Day.
The president is greeted campaign staff at his national reelection headquarters, located in an otherwise unremarkable Rosslyn office tower, as voters nationwide continue to head to the polls.
The presidential motorcade arrived around 12:15 p.m. A few dozen Trump supporters waved signs and flags across from the headquarters for the president’s arrival, as police blocked several streets in the area.
The POTUS motorcade just rode through the neighborhood 🚓 pic.twitter.com/m6AXkKjfYb
— Rosslyn, Virginia (@RosslynVA) November 3, 2020
Outside Trump HQ in Arlington #virginia some supporters tell me it’s frustrating to be a conservative in the deep blue DC suburbs. We’re waiting for an anticipated #potus visit #Election2020 pic.twitter.com/0CYUJoVz9s
— Daniella Cheslow (@DaniellaCheslow) November 3, 2020
The president spoke to campaign personnel, in brief remarks that were aired on cable news. Afterward, just before 1:30 p.m., the motorcade departed.
President @realDonaldTrump stops by the Trump Campaign Headquarters to thank his staff! pic.twitter.com/N1AWzYbmUG
— Team Trump (Text VOTE to 88022) (@TeamTrump) November 3, 2020
The Trump headquarters — also referred to as the Republican National Committee annex — has generated some minor protests and local controversy over the course of the year.
Rep. Don Beyer and Arlington County Board Chair Libby Garvey, both Democrats, called on the campaign to enforce mask wearing after a reported COVID outbreak at the HQ, and a Trump speech at a conference in Pentagon City in which many attendees did not wear masks.
The president’s last reported appearance at the Rosslyn headquarters was a surprise visit in February.
Arlington, owing to its prime location near D.C. and the area’s base of political talent, has been home to a number of presidential campaigns, including:
- John McCain 2008 (in Crystal City)
- Hillary Clinton 2008 (in Ballston)
- George W. Bush 2004 (in Courthouse)
- Ronald Reagan 1980 (near Columbia Pike)
- The campaigns of Newt Gingrich, Ron Paul, Joe Lieberman and Mike Gravel