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Chaos has erupted in the streets of Washington as more than 200 anti-Trump supporters have been arrested following a violent clash with police against the Republican's inaugaration.

Protesters have set the American flag on fire in the middle of the street while armed with crowbars and batons.

Riot police deployed tear gas and stun grenades in a bid to disperse the crowds in a protest that is being described as the most violent and angry yet.

A DC Police Department spokesman said 217 protesters had been arrested so far, all charged with rioting and due in court tomorrow.

(Image: REUTERS)

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Arrests have also been made for "acts of vandalism and destruction of property".

A group of masked activists have been filmed smashing windows of shops as they run through the streets of the city with flags bearing the anarchist symbol.

One man dressed in black smashed the window of a McDonald's with a hammer, while others tipped over bins.

Confrontations began an hour before Trump took the oath of office and escalated several hours later as the crowds swelled to more than 1,000, some wearing gas masks and with arms chained together.

(Image: Getty) (Image: Daily Mirror) (Image: REUTERS) (Image: Splash News)

The city has been compared to a "war zone" as protesters reportedly set alight bus stations while shouting "this is what a police state looks like".

A couple of police officers have been injured and taken to hospital.

Pictures of egged buildings and shattered ATMs are being posted on Twitter amid reports of looting.

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Demonstrators chanting "f*** Trump" blocked an entrance to the inauguration by linking arms to prevent people gaining access.

Cops gave chase to the group of rioters who claim they are denouncing capitalism.

Just blocks away from Trump’s inaugural parade route another chaotic confrontation saw pepper spray and stun grenades launched by cops.

(Image: Adam Gerrard/Daily Mirror) (Image: Splash News) (Image: Rex Features) (Image: Getty)

A Washington Post reporter was violently thrown to the ground by police.

While, Olympic diver Luis Villlarroel was pictured with cuts to his hand after protesters smashed his limo as he tried to escape the carnage.

A limousine was set on fire on 13th and K street near Trump's parade route.

As the new president made his way down Constitution Avenue with a military escort, the limo was set ablaze only streets away, outside the Washington Post building.

(Image: Adam Gerrard/Daily Mirror)

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(Image: Getty)

Flash grenades went off prompting a mini stampede on K Street as more police arrived in a effort to calm the situation.

Young Trump supporters began flowing into the edges of the scene. Both sides engaged in taunts. At one point chants of "Not my president" competed with "Trump, Trump, Trump."

Footage of a Trump supporter being punched in the face also emerged earlier today.

"The message I want to send is that Trump does not represent this country.

"He represents the corporate interests," said Jessica Reznicek, a 35-year-old Catholic aid worker from Iowa.

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(Image: Adam Gerrard/Daily Mirror) (Image: Adam Gerrard/Daily Mirror) (Image: Adam Gerrard/Daily Mirror)

Observers said the disorder appeared to be organised, with the black-clad group splitting from a larger protest before launching the wave of vandalism.

Trump supporter Bernadette Repisky from Pennsylvania said she felt "sorry" for the demonstrators.

"They're so ignorant," she said.

"They can't distinguish between fake news and real news.

"Why can't the police disband them? They're so hateful.

"Donald Trump saved our country."

The fighting and violence came as Donald Trump ushered in a new era of politics when he was sworn in as the 45th president of the US today.

His deeply divisive campaign fuelled the demonstrations, with groups angered by his stance on immigrants and women..

(Image: REUTERS) (Image: Adam Gerrard/Daily Mirror)

Not far from the White House, protesters also scuffled with police, at one point throwing aluminum chairs at an outdoor cafe.

A motorcyclist in town to celebrate Trump's inauguration was struck in the face when he tried to intervene.

"i know, law and order and all that. We need more order. This ain't right," Bob Hrifko, with a bleeding cut under his eye, told Reuters.

Hrifko said he was part of the "Bikers for Trump" group that was holding an inauguration rally.

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(Image: Adam Gerrard/Daily Mirror) (Image: REUTERS) (Image: REUTERS)

Earlier, liberal activists with a separate group called Disrupt J20 intermittently blocked multiple security checkpoints leading to the largest public viewing area for the ceremony.

Several were led away by police.



Disrupt J20 protest organizer Alli McCracken, 28, of Washington, said the group was voicing its displeasure over Trump's controversial comments about women, illegal immigrants and Muslims.

(Image: REUTERS) (Image: REUTERS) (Image: Barcroft Media)

"We have a lot of people of diverse backgrounds who are against U.S. imperialism and we feel Trump will continue that legacy," McCracken said on a gray morning with light rain.

At one checkpoint, protesters wore orange jumpsuits with black hoods over their faces to represent prisoners in US detention at Guantanamo Bay.

Black Lives Matter and feminist groups also joined protests.

Trump supporters flooded into the capital, many sporting shirts and hats bearing his "Make America Great Again" campaign slogan.

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A second anti-Trump protest is currently being held in Oakland.

A major demonstration is expected on Saturday when tens of thousands are expected to participate in the Women's March on Washington. Additional demonstrations are scheduled to take place around the country.

There also was a protest in front of Trump Tower in New York City, where demonstrators were arrested for blocking traffic.