Miami’s ex-Proud Boys leader Tarrio wants Trump’s pardon. Here’s why he doesn’t deserve it | Opinion
Henry “Enrique” Tarrio, the former chairman of the Proud Boys and Miami’s best known Jan. 6 insurrectionist, was rightfully convicted of betraying the country and sentenced to 22 years in prison for seditious conspiracy surrounding the 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol.
Now Tarrio is seeking a pardon from President-elect Donald Trump.
There was no confusion or misunderstanding in this situation, no exceptional circumstances that would justify leniency. Tarrio should not be excused or forgiven for his role in the attack against American democracy.
Tarrio helped write “1776 Returns,” a document that outlined a plan to occupy six House and Senate office buildings and the Supreme Court on Jan. 6 while a joint session of Congress was certifying the 2020 presidential election results. The intent was to disrupt the certification process.
The judge presiding over Tarrio’s case aptly characterized him as a “general rather than a soldier” in the violent incident. This label suggests Tarrio didn’t just carry out orders; he was a leader who orchestrated and directed the attack. Furthermore, Tarrio himself took pride in his actions, boasting in a text message to a fellow Proud Boy member, “We did this.” This brazen claim of responsibility leaves no doubt about his culpability in the assault.
Tarrio and the Proud Boys did not arrange the events of Jan. 6 by themselves. Stewart Rhodes, founder of the Oath Keepers, another extremist organization, worked alongside Tarrio and his group. Rhodes, like Tarrio, also received a lengthy sentence of 18 years for seditious conspiracy. Both men are serving serious jail time, and they’re not alone.
Currently, more than 1,000 Jan. 6 defendants have been sentenced, with over 700 receiving at least some jail time. There are still more than 100 individuals scheduled to stand trial this year and at least 168 rioters set to be sentenced in 2025, according to the U.S. Department of Justice. A total of 1,583 individuals have been charged — including nearly 100 Floridians, according to the DOJ.
As Trump prepares to take office, he has vowed to pardon those who participated in the insurrection. Trump’s pledge raises serious concerns about the rule of law. We believe Tarrio, along with the others individuals sentenced for their role in the attack on the Capitol, should not be pardoned. And an overwhelming majority of Americans agree. In a recent NPR/Marist poll, 62% of Americans disapprove of Trump pardoning them.
For Americans who watched the Capitol siege in horror, a pardon would be destructive to the foundation of representative government. It would erode public trust in the legal system and set a dangerous precedent. It would signal that political violence is acceptable when you disagree with an election’s outcome.
Tarrio’s role in the planning and incitement of the Jan. 6 attack should not be understated. Though the initial plan was never fully executed, “1776 Returns” was a blueprint aimed to undermine a peaceful transfer of power — a cornerstone of American democracy. Tarrio’s leadership and influence over the Proud Boys demonstrated a calculated effort to keep Trump in office and overthrow a free and fair election.
The events of Jan. 6 were not a protest by patriots gone awry — it was a deliberate assault on democracy. Ensuring justice is served for those responsible is essential to reaffirming that actions have consequences, no matter how powerful the perpetrator or their political allies. The courts have spoken, and their judgment should stand regardless of who occupies the Oval office.
Upholding Tarrio’s sentence is not just about punishing one man; it is about preserving the principles which make democracy resilient. Justice demands it, and the future of our democratic institutions depends on it.
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