The lawsuit, claiming systemic abuse of the legal system, was filed against the U.S. government by former Proud Boys leaders convicted in connection with the January 6 riots. They allege that prosecution was corrupt, politically motivated and involved misconduct.
Proud Boys Seek $100 Million from U.S. Government Over Capitol Riot Convictions
Proud Boys Seek $100 Million from U.S. Government Over Capitol Riot Convictions
Five Proud Boys leaders, recently convicted for their roles in the January 6 Capitol riot, have filed a $100 million lawsuit claiming their rights were violated during prosecution.
Five leaders of the far-right group Proud Boys have initiated a lawsuit against the U.S. government seeking $100 million in damages. This legal action follows their convictions for involvement in the January 6, 2021, Capitol riots, where supporters of former President Donald Trump attempted to overturn Joe Biden’s electoral victory. The plaintiffs—Henry "Enrique" Tarrio, Ethan Nordean, Joseph Biggs, Zachary Rehl, and Dominic Pezzola—assert that their rights were infringed upon throughout the judicial process.
Filed in Florida, the lawsuit contends that FBI agents and prosecutors were driven by personal biases and political agendas when bringing charges against them. The convicts claim their constitutional rights were systematically violated as part of a campaign to suppress Trump’s political allies. Their grievances include allegations of “evidence tampering” and “witness intimidation,” arguing that their prosecutions were marked by corruption and political bias.
The charges against the Proud Boys leaders included seditious conspiracy—an infrequent charge indicating intentions to overthrow the government—along with various other counts. Each participant was sentenced to time in prison after being convicted amid national condemnation of the riot. Earlier this year, however, then-President Trump issued pardons or commutations to these individuals as part of a broader strategy on his inauguration day, asserting that their treatment by the justice system was unjust.
As of January, the Department of Justice noted that around 1,583 individuals had been charged concerning the Capitol riots, including over 600 for assaulting law enforcement. The physical confrontations that day involved violent actions against Capitol Police, marking one of the darkest chapters in recent U.S. political history. The lawsuit has been met with scrutiny, especially from critics who argue that Trump’s pardons represent an attempt to obscure historical truths surrounding the events of that day.
