Enrique Tarrio, the previous head of the Proud Boys who was recently pardoned by President Donald Trump, found himself in handcuffs outside the U.S. Capitol on Friday, facing charges of assaulting a female protester. The arrest occurred following Tarrio’s appearance on Capitol Hill alongside several members of the Proud Boys and Oath Keepers for what was purported to be a “press conference.” U.S. Capitol Police took swift action, handcuffing Tarrio, conducting a search, and placing him in a police van. The police confirmed that he was charged with assault.
According to a statement released by Capitol Police, the incident transpired around 2:30 p.m. ET when officers observed a woman, identified as a counter protester, placing a cell phone in close proximity to a man’s face. Subsequently, the officers witnessed the man striking the woman’s phone and arm. When questioned about the reason for his detention, Tarrio explained to onlookers that “a lady stuck her phone in my face so I [inaudible] her phone.”
NBC News has made efforts to reach out to the Washington U.S. attorney’s office, currently overseen by Ed Martin, who was involved in organizing the “Stop the Steal” rally preceding the Capitol riot and subsequently advocated for Jan. 6 defendants. Representatives for Tarrio were also contacted for their input.
Until his commutation by Trump last month, Tarrio had been serving a 22-year federal prison sentence on various charges, including seditious conspiracy, relating to his involvement in the January 6, 2021, Capitol attack. Proud Boys leader Joe Biggs had disclosed plans for the press conference during an appearance on former Trump White House adviser Steve Bannon’s podcast the day prior.
Speaking of the future plans, Biggs, Tarrio, Stewart Rhodes, the Oath Keepers, and Zachary Rehl expressed their intentions to convene at the Capitol. All four men played leading roles in the January 6 riot and were convicted of seditious conspiracy, resulting in some of the lengthiest prison terms linked to the insurrection. On his inaugural day in office, Trump commuted their sentences, along with issuing approximately 1,500 pardons for supporters convicted of criminal charges related to the attack.
