The Cuban-American former leader of the extremist group Proud Boys, Enrique Tarrio, was arrested this Friday near the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., under allegations of assaulting a protester.
According to statements from the United States Capitol Police, reported by NBC News, Tarrio was handcuffed after he appeared at the venue with other members of the Proud Boys and the Oath Keepers for a "press conference."
According to authorities, around 2:30 p.m., a woman protesting against the presence of these groups in the Capitol approached Tarrio with a cell phone near his face as they both walked.
It appears that the agents saw the Cuban-American hitting the woman's phone and arm. Shortly thereafter, he was arrested.
In the press conference, Tarrio was accompanied by other members of his group and by Stewart Rhodes, leader of the Oath Keepers militia.
Tarrio and the others Proud Boys, pardoned by Donald Trump after being convicted for their role in the Capitol assault of 2021, announced their plans to sue the U.S. Department of Justice for their imprisonment.
They criticized the conditions of his imprisonment and said they had used a cryptocurrency to raise funds to proceed with the lawsuit.
Enrique Tarrio had been sentenced to 22 years in prison for "sedition," but he was one of the 1,500 individuals who received a presidential pardon from Trump following the inauguration of the president.
The attack on the Capitol, carried out by Trump supporters, aimed to disrupt the certification of Joe Biden's electoral victory in the November 2020 elections and resulted in the deaths of four people and over 140 police officers injured.
Another 730 people have been convicted to date for their involvement in the attack, while around 300 are still awaiting trial for offenses such as assaulting officers and other acts of violence.
During his presidential campaign, Trump had promised to pardon those involved in the Capitol events on his first day in office.
In his opinion, the participants in the attack are "heroes" who have been treated unfairly by the judicial system.
Frequently Asked Questions about Enrique Tarrio and the Proud Boys
Why was Enrique Tarrio arrested at the U.S. Capitol?
Enrique Tarrio was arrested for assault after hitting the phone and arm of a protester demonstrating against him and other members of the Proud Boys and Oath Keepers at the United States Capitol.
What is Enrique Tarrio's connection to the Capitol riot of 2021?
Enrique Tarrio was the leader of the Proud Boys, an extremist group that actively participated in the assault on the Capitol on January 6, 2021. He was sentenced to 22 years in prison for "sedition", although he was later pardoned by Donald Trump.
How did Enrique Tarrio manage to obtain a presidential pardon?
Enrique Tarrio was pardoned by Donald Trump after his return to the presidency of the United States. Trump decided to commute the sentences of more than 1,500 individuals involved in the assault on the Capitol, justifying that they were treated unfairly by the judicial system.
What plans does Enrique Tarrio have after his release?
Enrique Tarrio has expressed his intention to rebuild his life in Miami and continue with the activities of his organization, the Proud Boys. Despite his release, the case remains a contentious issue in American politics due to the implications of the pardon granted by Trump.
Filed under:
