Ex-Proud Boys Leader Enrique Tarrio Arrested Near U.S. Capitol \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ Former Proud Boys leader Enrique Tarrio was arrested Friday near the U.S. Capitol for allegedly assaulting a woman protesting an event attended by those pardoned for their Jan. 6-related crimes. Capitol police say Tarrio struck the protester’s phone and arm after she placed it near his face. Tarrio, who had been serving a 22-year prison sentence for seditious conspiracy before Trump’s clemency, had just left a press conference with fellow pardoned rioters.
Enrique Tarrio Arrest: Quick Looks
- New Arrest: Former Proud Boys leader Enrique Tarrio was arrested near the U.S. Capitol.
- Assault Charge: Police say Tarrio struck a protester’s phone and arm.
- Trump Pardon: Tarrio was freed last month after Trump granted clemency to all Jan. 6 offenders.
- Seditious Conspiracy Conviction: Tarrio previously received 22 years for plotting to stop Biden’s certification.
- Press Conference Incident: The altercation occurred after Tarrio attended an event with pardoned rioters.
- Ongoing Controversy: Stewart Rhodes, Oath Keepers founder, also attended after his Trump-commuted sentence.
Deep Look
Former Proud Boys leader Enrique Tarrio was arrested Friday near the U.S. Capitol on a misdemeanor assault charge, just weeks after his release from federal prison under former President Donald Trump’s mass clemency for Jan. 6 offenders.
According to the U.S. Capitol Police, Tarrio was involved in an altercation with a woman protesting an event attended by individuals who had received pardons for their roles in the 2021 Capitol riot. Officers reportedly witnessed Tarrio strike the woman’s cellphone and arm as she held the device close to his face.
“The woman told our officers that she wanted to be a complainant, and the man was arrested for the simple assault,” Capitol Police said in a statement.
Tarrio had just left a press conference where he appeared alongside other high-profile figures from the Jan. 6 insurrection, including Oath Keepers founder Stewart Rhodes, who was also convicted of seditious conspiracy but had his sentence commuted by Trump last month.
Trump’s Pardon and Tarrio’s Release
Tarrio, a Miami native, had been serving a 22-year prison sentence—the longest handed down in connection with the Jan. 6 attack—before Trump granted clemency to all 1,500+ individuals charged in the Capitol riot.
In September 2023, a jury found Tarrio guilty of seditious conspiracy, ruling that he and three other Proud Boys leaders had orchestrated a violent plot to prevent the certification of President Joe Biden’s 2020 election victory. Prosecutors described Tarrio as a key ringleader who coordinated the group’s movements remotely, despite not physically entering the Capitol that day.
With Trump’s blanket pardon wiping out his sentence, Tarrio quickly returned to public life—attending political events and media appearances alongside other high-profile Jan. 6 defendants.
Altercation With Protester: What Happened?
The circumstances of Friday’s arrest unfolded as follows:
- Post-Presser Confrontation: Tarrio had just left a press conference held near the Capitol, where he and other pardoned rioters spoke.
- Protester’s Actions: A woman protesting the event approached Tarrio and placed her phone close to his face, allegedly filming or questioning him.
- Physical Contact: According to Capitol Police, officers saw Tarrio strike the protester’s phone and arm.
- Arrest on Scene: The woman informed police she wished to press charges, leading to Tarrio’s immediate arrest for simple assault.
Authorities have not provided additional details about the protester’s identity or whether she sustained injuries.
Legal Implications and Response
Tarrio’s arrest raises legal questions, as it comes so soon after his release under Trump’s sweeping clemency order.
An attorney who previously represented Tarrio in his Capitol riot case did not immediately respond to requests for comment. However, Tarrio’s legal team may argue that the confrontation was minor and politically motivated.
Capitol Police have not indicated whether additional charges could follow.
Stewart Rhodes and the Growing Post-Pardon Movement
Tarrio was not the only controversial figure present at Friday’s press event. Stewart Rhodes, the founder of the Oath Keepers militia, also attended.
Rhodes was serving an 18-year sentence—one of the longest of any Jan. 6 defendant—before Trump commuted his sentence last month. He, like Tarrio, was convicted of seditious conspiracy for leading efforts to disrupt Biden’s certification.
The event, meant to showcase former Jan. 6 offenders as political martyrs, underscores how Trump’s pardons have re-energized some of the figures once considered central to the insurrection. Many of those released are expected to be vocal in Trump’s 2024 campaign efforts.
What’s Next for Tarrio?
Following his latest arrest, Tarrio’s next steps could include:
- Court Appearance: He will likely be arraigned in the coming days.
- Potential Plea Deal: Given the misdemeanor nature of the charge, a plea deal or fine is possible.
- Political Activism: His continued participation in right-wing events suggests he intends to remain a public figure.
While Tarrio was freed from his lengthy prison sentence, this new arrest could complicate his post-pardon public life.
As Trump’s former allies navigate their legal challenges and newfound political opportunities, the broader impact of the clemency order remains a subject of national debate.
Conclusion: A Return to Controversy
Enrique Tarrio’s arrest near the U.S. Capitol adds another chapter to his already controversial legacy. Just weeks after regaining his freedom, he finds himself in legal trouble once again—this time, for an altercation with a protester.
As the legal process unfolds, his case will likely become another flashpoint in the ongoing national discussion over the aftermath of Jan. 6 and Trump’s efforts to rehabilitate those involved.
With tensions high and the 2024 election approaching, figures like Tarrio remain at the center of the political storm.
Ex-Proud Boys Leader Ex-Proud Boys Leader
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