Background

Enrique Tarrio was the national chairman of the Proud Boys. In late December 2020 he created the group’s “Ministry of Self Defense” (MOSD), a leadership structure that became the hub for planning the January 6 attack. He was convicted in the District of Columbia of seditious conspiracy and related offenses for his role in the January 6, 2021, Capitol attack and was sentenced to 22 years in prison—among the longest sentences in the Capitol breach cases.

The Case

Tarrio was convicted of seditious conspiracy and related charges. He was not at the Capitol on January 6 (he had been arrested in D.C. on January 4 and banned from the city) but directed the Proud Boys from afar via encrypted Telegram. While the attack was underway he posted on Parler that he was “enjoying the show,” told associates “Don’t fucking leave,” and when asked “Are we a militia yet?” replied “Yep” and added “Make no mistake … We did this.” He had also posted a pre-recorded “Premonition” video in front of the Capitol, reflecting foreknowledge of the attack. He was found to have led the Proud Boys in planning and encouraging the assault. The attack disrupted the certification of the presidential election, injured law enforcement officers, and damaged public trust in the peaceful transfer of power. He was sentenced in September 2023 to 22 years in prison.

Less than a month after the January 2025 pardon, Tarrio was arrested near the U.S. Capitol during a Proud Boys and Oath Keepers press event where he and others discussed suing the Justice Department over their imprisonment. According to the BBC, officers saw him strike a counterprotester's phone and arm as the group left the area. On March 20, 2025, the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Columbia declined to prosecute the simple-assault allegation. In May 2025 the New York Times reported that Tarrio met with President Trump at Mar-a-Lago to thank him personally for the clemency grant.

The Pardon

On January 20, 2025, President Trump granted Tarrio a full pardon under a proclamation covering certain offenses relating to the events at or near the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021.

Sources

• The Jan. 6 Pardons: Clemency recipients and subsequent charges (Lawfare compiled database)
• President Trump’s Proclamation Granting Pardons and Commutations for Jan. 6 Offenses (DOJ)
• Granting Pardons and Commutation of Sentences (White House, Jan 20, 2025)
• Full List of People Pardoned | January 6th (jan-6.com)
• Proud Boys leaders convicted of seditious conspiracy (DOJ USAO-DC)
• Former Proud Boys leader Enrique Tarrio sentenced to 22 years (DOJ USAO-DC, Sept 2023)
• Proud Boys Threat Assessment: From the Planning of January 6th to Future Scenarios (Just Security)
• Ex-Proud Boys leader arrested near US Capitol (BBC)
• DC prosecutors decline to charge ex-Proud Boys leader after US Capitol arrest (NBC Washington, March 2025)
• Trump Hosts Proud Boys Leader He Pardoned (New York Times, May 2025)