Henry “Enrique” Tarrio, the recently pardoned leader of the Proud Boys who is now free from prison after being convicted of seditious conspiracy alongside a cadre of the extremist group’s chapter leaders and allies, desires accountability for those who investigated the U.S. Capitol attack.
In a recent interview with right-wing radio host Alex Jones, Tarrio criticized the former House committee that probed the attack and denounced what he sees as an unfair treatment of him and others linked to the events of Jan. 6, 2021.
“The evidence didn’t matter to them. They were focused on imprisoning Trump supporters. But now the tables have turned. I appreciate the president’s emphasis on progress rather than retaliation, but I refuse to adhere to those standards,” Tarrio expressed to Jones. “Those responsible need to face consequences. They must be incarcerated and prosecuted.”
“Our case demonstrates that anyone can be incarcerated in this country,” he added. “They should be locked up. We must identify and imprison them for their actions. They must be held accountable.”
One of Donald Trump’s initial acts as president was issuing an executive order pardoning individuals convicted in connection to the Jan. 6 attack and commuting the sentences of 14 Proud Boys and Oath Keepers members. Tarrio received a full pardon instead of a commuted sentence.
Following an extensive trial and substantial evidence, Tarrio was found guilty of seditious conspiracy and sentenced to 22 years in prison. He served only 16 months.
Tarrio had petitioned Trump for a pardon several weeks prior. Since then, he has expressed his reluctance to be referred to as the “former” leader of the Proud Boys and has referred to the group as “our organization.”
Tarrio stated he does not “endorse violence” but called for investigations into former Attorney General Merrick Garland and the recently resigned U.S. attorney for the District of Columbia, Matthew Graves.
Proud Boys have promoted and normalized violence through frequent physical altercations, often intimidating or assaulting individuals at various events such as school board meetings, political gatherings, and drag queen story hours.
Tarrio is not the sole leader of an extremist group suggesting a return to their usual operations.
Stewart Rhodes, the Oath Keepers founder, seemed to blame law enforcement for the violence on Jan. 6. He asserted that he was expressing frustration.
In an interview with the BBC released a video on Wednesday from the U.S. Capitol, where Rhodes seemed to accuse law enforcement of instigating the violence on Jan. 6. When confronted with his own statements, including his desire to “hang Nancy Pelosi from a light post,” Rhodes stated that he was venting his frustration.
“I was frustrated that President Trump did not invoke the Insurrection Act,” Rhodes explained.
“I wished for him to utilize his unrestricted power to declassify any secrets held by agencies like the CIA, NSA, FBI, etc., revealing their corruption. This is how they shield the establishment.”
Rhodes often repeats this sentiment: He expressed it in public letters to Trump before Jan. 6, urging him to enlist Oath Keepers and employ the militia group to expose what he alleged was widespread voter fraud in the 2020 election.
Go Ad-Free — And Protect The Free Press
Support JS
Already contributed? Log in to hide these messages.
There was no widespread voter fraud as claimed.
Rhodes was sentenced to 18 years in prison for seditious conspiracy in 2023. He aspires to be an American Solzhenitsyn, likening himself to the Nobel Prize-winning Russian dissident who is credited with destroying an empire.
Rhodes visited Capitol Hill on Wednesday — the same day Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson announced a new committee to investigate “false narratives” about the Jan. 6 attack.
