Proud Boys leaders sue DOJ over Jan. 6 prosecutions
Share this @internewscast.com


Five leaders of the Proud Boys convicted of spearheading the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol attack are accusing the government and FBI employees of violating their constitutional rights, according to a lawsuit filed Friday.

The lawsuit, filed in federal court in Florida, seeks $100 million in restitution and comes after President Trump pardoned nearly all Jan. 6 defendants on his first day back in the White House.

The five Proud Boys Enrique Tarrio, Ethan Nordean, Zachary Rehl, Joe Biggs and Dominic Pezzola stood trial together in 2023, accused of plotting to stop the certification of the 2020 presidential election so Trump could stay in power after he lost the election.

Four of the men were found guilty of seditious conspiracy. Pezzola was acquitted of that charge but convicted of other serious felonies.

Now, they claim the “political prosecution” violated their rights.

“What follows is a parade of horribles: egregious and systemic abuse of the legal system and the United States Constitution to punish and oppress political allies of President Trump, by any and all means necessary, legal, or illegal,” the 28-page complaint reads.

The lawsuit could force Trump’s Justice Department to defend the sweeping Jan. 6 prosecution undertaken by the DOJ of his predecessor, former President Biden, or pay damages to the right-wing extremist group leaders at the expense of American taxpayers.

Former U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland once described the Jan. 6 probe as one of the “largest, most complex, and most resource-intensive investigations” in the Justice Department’s history.

Its crown jewel was the sedition convictions of the Proud Boys and Oath Keepers, another right-wing extremist group whose members were found guilty of plotting ahead of the Capitol attack. 

Tarrio was sentenced to 22 years in prison the longest term of incarceration for any Jan. 6 defendant. But that sentence was wiped away when Trump pardoned him on Jan. 20.

Trump commuted the sentences of 14 other Proud Boys and Oath Keepers. An affiliate of the Oath Keepers whose sentence was commuted, Thomas Caldwell, has since been pardoned

The lawsuit cites Trump’s pardon proclamation, which claimed to “end a grave national injustice that has been perpetrated upon the American people over the last four years.” 

Speaking to reporters Friday alongside Stewart Rhodes, founder of the Oath Keepers, Tarrio called on Trump to pardon the remaining Proud Boys and Oath Keepers. The complaint says that Biggs, Nordean, Pezzola and Rehl applied for pardons in May. 

“You’ve seen what the president has said about Jan. 6ers, and I believe that he did the right thing when he pardoned us on day one,” Tarrio said Friday. “And, I think there’s a lot of work to be done.”

Updated at 3:14 p.m. EDT

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like

Are You Eligible for Unemployment Benefits After Being Fired or Quitting Your Job?

(NewsNation) — When you’re fired, you typically have the right to collect…

Federal Agents Raid Location in California, Prompting Swift Protest

Video above: Live feed of the scene of ICE activity in Paramount.…

Kilmar Abrego Garcia Returns to the U.S., Faces Human Smuggling Charges While Lawyers Pledge Continued Legal Battle

The Trump administration describes Kilmar Abrego Garcia as a key figure in…

Army Secretary Advocates for Right to Repair: Seeks Access to Tools and Parts

() The Right to Repair is gaining a ton of momentum across…

Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office Takes Action to Educate Residents About Current Scams

BEAUFORT, S.C. () – The Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO) aims to…

Thousands Gather in the Nation’s Capital for World Pride Parade Despite Cloudy Skies

WASHINGTON – Initially overcast skies and light rain turned into a bright…

Argenta Mayor Seeks Assistance to Halt Risky Youth Behaviors

ARGENTA, Ill. (WCIA) — The Village of Argenta is seeking community assistance…

Attorney Claims Returning Abrego Garcia to the US is a ‘Political’ Move

() The attorney of Kilmar Abrego Garcia tells that his client’s return to…

Kingsport Hosts Carl Lane Catfish Derby on Tennessee’s Free Fishing Day

On Saturday, Tennessee is celebrating Free Fishing Day, during which anyone, whether…

Downtown Augusta Hosts “Wear Orange” Event for National Gun Violence Awareness Month

AUGUSTA, Ga () – June marks National Gun Violence Awareness Month, prompting…

ICE Detains Southern California Dad During Immigration Hearing

Loved ones are rallying together to help a Southern California father who…

Russian Drones and Missiles Strike Kharkiv in Eastern Ukraine, Leaving 3 Dead, Officials Report

KYIV – Ukraine’s eastern city of Kharkiv was the focus of a…