Background

Joseph Biggs was a leader of the Proud Boys and was convicted in the District of Columbia of seditious conspiracy and related offenses for his role in the January 6, 2021, Capitol attack. He was sentenced to 17 years in prison.

The Case

Biggs was convicted of seditious conspiracy, obstructing an official proceeding, and conspiracy to prevent members of Congress from discharging their duties. He was a key on-the-ground leader on January 6: he and Ethan Nordean led the march of roughly 100 Proud Boys and associates from the Washington Monument to the Peace Circle outside the Capitol, where the crowd grew to 200–300. At the Peace Circle, Biggs used a megaphone to lead chants such as “Whose Capitol? Our Capitol!” and “Whose house? Our house!” and helped turn the crowd against police. After the breach he was recorded saying “we’ve just taken the Capitol” and “we just stormed the fucking Capitol. Took the motherfucking place back.” 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 17 years in prison.

The Pardon

On January 20, 2025, President Trump granted Biggs a commutation of his sentence to time served under a proclamation covering certain offenses relating to the events at or near the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021.

Sources

• 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)
• Proud Boys Threat Assessment: From the Planning of January 6th to Future Scenarios (Just Security)