When widespread demonstrations broke out in Washington, D.C., what was supposed to be a well-planned political maneuver for Donald Trump swiftly turned into anarchy. Billed as a significant display of power, the former president’s most recent proposal instead infuriated opponents and brought thousands of protesters to the streets.

Witnesses said that the demonstrations started to take shape hours before Trump’s planned arrival, with groups yelling, holding placards, and blocking important thoroughfares close to the event site. Police had to send out more cops to keep the peace as emotions increased, and the city was momentarily closed in several areas.

Both the timing and the content of Trump’s statement, which detractors believe was provocative and polarizing, may have contributed to the response, according to analysts. Instead, what was meant to unite his supporters gave his opponents a potent rallying point of their own.

The story had completely changed by the end of the day. Trump was overshadowed by pictures of large-scale protests and articles emphasizing the strong public opposition, rather than taking center stage with his intended message. The protests in D.C. were an indisputable blow to a leader who was known for managing the attention.