Thousands of supporters of US President-elect Donald Trump braved long waits in freezing temperatures, rain and snow to attend a "victory rally" in the US capital on Sunday, saying they were eager to see him get to work.

"I'm happy to be here to support (him)," said Loren Stephenson, 40, pulling an American flag tighter around her head to shield herself from hailstones. "It's been a long day but people are generally in good spirits."

Stephenson said she joined the line at around 6:00 am, an hour before dawn, to make sure she got inside to see Trump lead what was meant to be a raucous celebration of his November victory.

Long lines of supporters snaked around several city blocks in Washington's Chinatown neighborhood, with soldiers directing people towards the Capital One arena, a 20,000-seat stadium that is home to the city's basketball and ice hockey teams.

At one street corner, a performer dressed in a colonial-era uniform sang into a microphone, as the crowd around him swayed.

At others, Christian preachers stood at........

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