Proud Boys Seek $100 Million from US Government Over January 6 Prosecution

The lawsuit, filed by convicted Proud Boys leaders, alleges that their rights were violated and their legal proceedings were politically motivated, demanding $100 million in damages from the US government.

Five members of the far-right group Proud Boys have initiated a lawsuit against the US government for $100 million, alleging their rights were infringed during their prosecutions related to the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot. The plaintiffs—Henry "Enrique" Tarrio, Ethan Nordean, Joseph Biggs, Zachary Rehl, and Dominic Pezzola—were convicted for their roles in an attempt to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election, which Joe Biden won against Donald Trump.

In the lawsuit filed in Florida, the group claims they were subjected to unlawful bias and discrimination by FBI agents and prosecutors, characterizing their legal battles as an orchestrated campaign to "punish and oppress political allies" of Trump. Notably, Tarrio was sentenced to an extensive 22-year prison term after being convicted on multiple charges, including seditious conspiracy.

Trump's recent pardon or commutation of sentences for these five individuals has been a point of contention, with critics accusing the former president of attempting to reshape the narrative surrounding the insurrection. He defended the pardons, claiming that the justice system had treated the Proud Boys and other defendants unjustly.

In their legal action, the Proud Boys allege "systematic and egregious abuse of the legal system," including claims of "evidence tampering" and "witness intimidation." The lawsuit targets the Department of Justice, currently under the Trump administration led by Attorney General Pam Bondi.

To date, the Department of Justice has charged approximately 1,583 individuals in connection to the Capitol riot, with many facing serious charges, including assaulting law enforcement officers. The chaos of that day saw many lawmakers, including former Speaker Nancy Pelosi, experiencing violent confrontations, leading to widespread condemnation of the riot. Yet, Trump has sought to describe the event as a "day of love," a narrative that runs counter to the prevailing concerns raised by leaders in response to the riots.