Five Proud Boys leaders, convicted for their roles in the January 6, 2021 Capitol riot, are suing the U.S. government for $100 million, alleging systemic abuse and political bias in their prosecutions, following pardons issued by Donald Trump.
Proud Boys File $100 Million Lawsuit Against U.S. Government Over January 6th Convictions
Proud Boys File $100 Million Lawsuit Against U.S. Government Over January 6th Convictions
The leaders of the Proud Boys claim their rights were violated during their prosecution connected to the Capitol riot.
Five leaders of the far-right group Proud Boys have initiated legal action against the U.S. government, demanding $100 million in damages. This lawsuit, filed in Florida, stems from their convictions related to the January 6, 2021 Capitol riot—an event that saw supporters of Donald Trump storm the Capitol in an effort to contest the outcome of the 2020 presidential election.
The Proud Boys leaders, including Henry "Enrique" Tarrio, Ethan Nordean, Joseph Biggs, Zachary Rehl, and Dominic Pezzola, claim their prosecution was fraught with violations of their constitutional rights. They argue that FBI agents and prosecutors were swayed by personal biases and aimed to suppress political allies of the former president. The lawsuit specifically points to "egregious and systemic abuse of the legal system" during their trials.
The charges against Tarrio and his associates included seditious conspiracy—a serious offense involving the planning of an insurrection against the government—as well as other related counts. Following their convictions, which resulted in significant prison sentences, the group found their punishments commuted or pardoned by Trump, who labeled their treatment "outrageous" during his presidency.
In their lawsuit, the Proud Boys leaders are accusing prosecutors of evidence tampering and witness intimidation, asserting that the prosecution process was rooted in corruption and political motivations. This legal challenge is addressed to the Department of Justice, currently led by Attorney General Pam Bondi, under the Trump administration.
The Capitol riot has drawn widespread condemnation, with approximately 1,583 defendants charged with offenses tied to the unrest. Many of those charged were implicated in violently confronting law enforcement officers. Trump's pardons for numerous riot participants have been met with backlash from Democratic lawmakers, who argue that such actions are an attempt to distort the narrative surrounding the events of January 6.
The DOJ has yet to provide a public response to the lawsuit, as calls for accountability continue in the aftermath of the Capitol incident.
