Ex-Proud Boys' Enrique Tarrio arrives in Miami after Trump pardon
MIAMI - Former Proud Boys leader Enrique Tarrio arrived in Miami Wednesday afternoon after being pardoned by President Donald Trump.
Tarrio celebrated his return to South Florida as a free man by hugging his mother. He was then quickly rushed into a waiting SUV and driven away.
He spoke to CBS Miami shortly after he arrived home. He said President Trump pardoning hundreds of his co-defendants was the right thing to do.
"I think all 1,500 should be released, now I'm not going to condone people who put their hands on cops okay? But they were excessively charged and were wrongfully convicted and the process was flawed. It wasn't about what they did, it was about the process," he said.
On Monday, his first day back in office, President Donald Trump issued pardons for approximately 1,500 individuals convicted in connection with the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol riot, including Tarrio.
Tarrio was released from a federal holding facility in Louisiana on Tuesday afternoon.
Enrique Tarrio and the Jan. 6 Capitol riot
Tarrio, 42, a Miami native, was serving a 22-year sentence after being convicted in May 2023 of seditious conspiracy and other charges related to the Capitol attack.
Despite not being physically present at the Capitol during the riot, prosecutors argued that Tarrio played a central role in orchestrating the events from outside Washington, D.C.
The Tarrio family released a statement confirming his pardon. The statement concluded with, "We Thank You For Being With Us, The Golden Era Has Arrived!"
Tarrio's attorney, Nayib Hassan, also released a statement, which in part read, "This marks a pivotal moment in our client's life, and it symbolizes a turning point for our nation. We are optimistic for the future, as we now turn the page on this chapter, embracing new possibilities and opportunities."
Zuny Duarte, Tarrio's mom, recently told CBS News Miami that she believes her son has been made a scapegoat for the events of Jan. 6, 2021.
"I don't think anyone who is realistic doubts that the government is using his face, his organization and his position as chairman of the Proud Boys," Duarte said.
Trump presidential pardons
Mr. Trump's sweeping clemency extended to both non-violent participants and those convicted of more serious offenses during the Capitol riot.
In a statement, Mr. Trump described the move as rectifying a national injustice and promoting reconciliation.
