Proud Boys Charged with Seditious Conspiracy in Capitol Riot
SnopesSep 11, 2022
DOJ Charges Proud Boys With Seditious Conspiracy for Jan. 6
Image copyright: Anadolu Agency/Getty Images [via Axios]
The Facts
On Mon., the US Dept. of Justice (DOJ) charged Proud Boys head Enrique Tarrio and four other leaders with seditious conspiracy in the Jan 6. Capitol riots.
These are the first allegations from the DOJ that the right-wing group attempted to use force to oppose the presidential transfer of power in 2021.
The Spin
Democratic narrative
Bit by bit we're learning of the ties between groups that were instrumental in the Jan. 6 attacks on the Capitol - like the Proud Boys and Oath Keepers - their relationships with each other, and their close ties to the Trump White House. This is a sign that the political attempt to stop the certification of the votes overlapped with the violent effort.
Republican narrative
It's absurd to call Jan. 6 a "seditious conspiracy" by unarmed citizens who largely committed no acts of violence. The only ones who truly represent anti-American sentiment are those who are targeting patriotic citizens and labelling them as "domestic terrorists".