Two far-right leaders, Enrique Tarrio of the Proud Boys and Stewart Rhodes of the Oath Keepers militia, have expressed their desire for retribution against those who investigated and prosecuted them in connection with the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot. Both men were granted clemency by President Trump and are now seeking revenge on behalf of themselves and their organizations.
Tarrio, who was sentenced to 22 years in prison for seditious conspiracy, claimed that the jury that convicted him was biased and that he was unfairly targeted by prosecutors. He also expressed his gratitude to Trump, calling him “for helping us through these difficult times and releasing me.”
Rhodes, who is serving an 18-year sentence for sedition, accused the FBI of needing to be “cleaned out” after his trial. He also called for the prosecution of those who oversaw his trial, claiming that they broke the law.
Both men are cautious about their future roles in their organizations, but they clearly echo Trump’s assertion that those who sought to hold him and the January 6 rioters accountable should face punishment themselves.
The clemency granted by Trump has devastated far-right groups such as the Proud Boys and Oath Keepers, with many of their members arrested or convicted in connection with the riot. However, some within these organizations remain committed to making a public show of strength, as seen on Inauguration Day when rank-and-file Proud Boys marched in Washington.
Tarrio was more circumspect about his group’s future, stating that he believes it will “just be a group of men who love America, get around and drink beer and protect Trump supporters.” Rhodes did not know what the future of his organization held, but expressed a desire to hang up his “spurs” when he got home.
The situation highlights the ongoing tensions between far-right groups and those who seek to hold them accountable for their actions. As these men navigate their newfound freedom, it remains to be seen how they will use their platforms to promote violence or extremism.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/22/us/politics/enrique-tarrio-stewart-rhodes.html