In interviews with USA TODAY in February, Proud Boys leaders defended their participation in the insurrection and said they’d do it again.
WASHINGTON – Five members of the right-wing extremist group the Proud Boys who stormed the U.S. Capitol during the Jan. 6 insurrection and were later pardoned by President Donald Trump are suing the government for more than $100 million.
The Proud Boys and their families were subjected to forceful government raids, solitary confinement and cruel and unusual treatment, they argue in their lawsuit, which seeks $100 million in damages plus 6% post-judgment interest.
Freed Proud Boys leaders have big plans “I am an intelligent individual, and I’ve done a lot in the community as far as activism is concerned,” Rehl said.
“So, I’m experienced in that respect, and I believe I can really represent the people in a good way.” Contributing: Reuters Zachary Schermele is an education reporter for USA TODAY.
In February, Proud Boys leaders defended their involvement in the uprising and promised to repeat it in interviews with USA TODAY.
Washington: Five members of the Proud Boys, a right-wing extremist group, stormed the U.S. A. Capitol in January. Six rebels who were later granted pardons by President Donald Trump are suing the government for over $100 million.
Their participation in the effort to prevent Congress from certifying former President Joe Biden’s 2020 election victory led to their arrest and incarceration, which they claim violated their constitutional rights.
They contend in their lawsuit, which seeks $100 million in damages plus 6 percent post-judgment interest, that the Proud Boys and their families endured cruel and unusual treatment, solitary confinement, and violent government raids.
Along with Henry “Enrique” Tarrio, Zachary Rehl, Ethan Nordean, Joseph Biggs, and Dominic Pezzola, the group filed the lawsuit in a federal court in Florida on June 6.
Tarrio, Rehl, Nordean, and Biggs were found guilty by a jury in 2023 of joining a seditious conspiracy against the United States. S. authorities. In multiple court cases, the group’s leaders received lengthy prison terms, ranging from 22 to 15 years.
President Trump issued a broad clemency order on the first day of his 2025 return to office, pardoning nearly all of the more than 1,500 defendants who stormed the U.S. S. . The Capitol in January. 6 and commuting the sentences of 14 other people.
Most of the lawsuit’s plaintiffs defended their Jan. actions in interviews with USA TODAY in February. 6 and declared categorically that they would repeat the same action. Rehl and Tarrio were among those who alluded to the prospect of a future run for public office.
Read more: Leaders of the Freed Proud Boys have big plans: Sheriff? Congress? Criminal Justice reformer?
In addition to being a bright individual, Rehl claimed to have accomplished a great deal of community activism. Because of my experience in that area, I think I can effectively represent the people. “”.
The source: Reuters.
USA TODAY employs Zachary Schermele as an education reporter. His email address is zschermele@usatoday.com. Follow him on Bluesky at @zachschermele . bsky . social and on X at @ZachSchermele.
