Idaho Falls woman verbally assaulted by anti-Trump protester at presidential inauguration
An Idaho Falls couple took a trip to Washington, D.C., to be part of the presidential inauguration, however, things took a turn for the worse when they were verbally assaulted by anti-Donald Trump protesters.
Julia and Jeff Townsend gave Local News 8 and KIDK Eyewitness 3 an exclusive interview on the events that transpired while at the president’s inauguration.
Shortly after the swearing in ceremony of Donald J. Trump, anti-Trump protesters took to the streets of Washington, D.C., to express their political views.
The Townsends were on their way to a restaurant when a stranger in a group nudged Julia Townsend and shouted obscenities at her.
“He said, F you, F Jesus,” Julia Townsend said.
Jeff Townsend recounts the moments leading up to the confrontation.
“You can feel the energy shift once you left the ceremony. I can feel the energy shift on the streets with the protesters around, and even the cops could feel the negative energy because more cops took to the streets. A lot of the shop owners as we were walking down the street began to close down their shops. Everything was shutting,” Jeff Townsend said.
“I don’t expect everyone to have the same view I have. It really sent a message to me and my husband. We have not been President Obama fans, but he was still are president and we supported him because we are Americans. So I think all of us are Americans we need to get behind our president now,” Julia Townsend said.
The Townsends were not injured during the altercation.