Enrique Tarrio, a Cuban-American who once led the extremist group Proud Boys, was taken into custody near the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C. on Friday. He faces charges of assaulting a protester.
According to a report by NBC News citing the U.S. Capitol Police, Tarrio was apprehended after arriving at the Capitol grounds alongside other members of the Proud Boys and the Oath Keepers for what they called a "press conference."
Authorities reported that around 2:30 p.m., a woman protesting the presence of these groups approached Tarrio with a cellphone near his face as they walked. Witnesses allege that Tarrio struck the phone and the woman's arm, leading to his arrest shortly afterward.
During the press event, Tarrio was joined by fellow Proud Boys and Stewart Rhodes, the leader of the militia group Oath Keepers. Tarrio and the Proud Boys, who were previously pardoned by Donald Trump after their convictions for involvement in the 2021 Capitol riot, announced intentions to sue the U.S. Department of Justice over their imprisonment.
They criticized the conditions they faced while incarcerated and mentioned using cryptocurrency to fund their legal action. Tarrio had been sentenced to 22 years for "seditious conspiracy" but was among 1,500 individuals granted presidential pardons by Trump following his inauguration.
The Capitol riot, which involved Trump supporters aiming to disrupt the certification of Joe Biden's electoral victory in November 2020, resulted in the deaths of four people and injuries to more than 140 police officers. To date, over 730 individuals have been convicted for their roles in the attack, with about 300 still awaiting trial for offenses like assaulting officers and other violent acts.
Trump, during his presidential campaign, promised to pardon those involved in the Capitol events on his first day in office. He has labeled the participants as "heroes" who have been treated unfairly by the judicial system.
Key Questions About Enrique Tarrio's Arrest
What were the charges against Enrique Tarrio?
Enrique Tarrio was charged with assaulting a protester near the U.S. Capitol.
Who accompanied Tarrio during the press conference?
Tarrio was accompanied by other Proud Boys members and Stewart Rhodes, the leader of the Oath Keepers.
How did Tarrio and the Proud Boys plan to fund their legal action?
They mentioned using cryptocurrency to raise funds for their lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Justice.