Former Proud Boys Leader Found Guilty of Seditious Conspiracy

A Washington, D.C. jury found Enrique Tarrio, former leader of the Proud Boys, guilty of seditious conspiracy in connection with the events at the United States Capitol on January 6, 2021. 

Details: The charge of seditious conspiracy carries up to 20 years in prison. Tarrio was not present during the riot at the Capitol, having been arrested two days prior in a separate incident. The prosecution cited messages from Tarrio regarding the Jan 6. riot as evidence that the violence and obstruction was premeditated, including one message reading, “Make no mistake … we did this,” and another following the riot where he addressed fellow group members, stating, “Do it again.” Tarrio’s lawyer argued in court that the Proud Boys are “a scapegoat for Donald J. Trump and those in power,” alleging the Proud Boys were peacefully protesting, and the former president incited the riot. During closing arguments, prosecutor Conor Mulroe stated that the Proud Boys were “lined up behind Donald Trump and willing to commit violence on his behalf.”

How The Media Covered It: The Associated Press labeled the Proud Boys a “neo-fascist group” and Jan. 6 an “insurrection.” The Daily Wire labeled Jan. 6 a “riot” and did not characterize the Proud Boys. Forbes labeled Jan. 6 both an “attack” and a “riot” and labeled the Proud Boys a “far-right group.” The Associated Press determined that the guilty verdict could “embolden the Justice Department as a special counsel investigates Trump.”