Former Proud Boys leader Enrique Tarrio was arrested near the U.S. Capitol on Friday following an alleged assault on a protester. The incident occurred just after Tarrio left a press conference where he had appeared alongside other high-profile figures who had received presidential pardons for their roles in the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot.
According to the U.S. Capitol Police, officers observed Tarrio striking a protester’s cellphone and arm after the individual held the phone close to his face. The woman, who had been demonstrating against the event, reported the incident to authorities and expressed her intent to press charges. As a result, Tarrio was taken into custody on a charge of simple assault.
Tarrio, a Miami resident, had previously been serving a 22-year prison sentence—the longest among the hundreds of January 6-related convictions—before receiving clemency from President Donald Trump last month. Tarrio had been convicted, along with three other Proud Boys members, of seditious conspiracy for orchestrating efforts to block the certification of Joe Biden’s 2020 election victory. His release, part of Trump’s sweeping decision to pardon over 1,500 individuals linked to the insurrection, sparked significant controversy.
The press conference that Tarrio attended on Friday was also joined by Stewart Rhodes, founder of the Oath Keepers, another right-wing extremist group. Rhodes, who had been serving an 18-year sentence for similar seditious conspiracy charges, was freed last month after Trump commuted his sentence. The event, meant to celebrate their release and discuss their next steps, was met with heavy protests.
The altercation leading to Tarrio’s arrest has reignited debates about the former Proud Boys leader’s continued public activities. While his supporters claim he is being unfairly targeted, critics argue that his arrest highlights the ongoing security concerns associated with extremist groups and their potential influence in the political landscape.
Legal experts have weighed in on the implications of Tarrio’s latest arrest, with some suggesting that it could complicate his post-pardon legal standing. Although a simple assault charge is relatively minor compared to his previous conviction, it raises concerns about his conduct following his release. Law enforcement officials have reiterated that the arrest was based on observed actions and will be handled through the standard legal process.
Tarrio’s legal team has yet to issue an official statement regarding the arrest. Attorneys who previously represented him in his Capitol riot case did not respond to media inquiries for comment.
The incident also adds another layer of complexity to the ongoing discussions about former President Trump’s decision to pardon individuals involved in the January 6 insurrection. His clemency order, which freed Tarrio, Rhodes, and other convicted rioters, has drawn sharp criticism from lawmakers and legal analysts who argue that it sets a dangerous precedent.
As investigations continue, the future remains uncertain for Tarrio. Whether his arrest will lead to further legal repercussions or impact the broader political climate remains to be seen. What is certain, however, is that the former Proud Boys leader continues to be at the center of controversy, keeping the conversation around January 6 and its aftermath alive in the public discourse.