Opinion: The Proud Prosecution doesn’t mean we’re any safer
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Ex-Proud Boy Boss Jailed for 22 Years Over Jan. 6
Last updated Sep 06, 2023
Image credit: Wikimedia CommonsFacts
- Former leader of the Proud Boys, Enrique Tarrio, has been jailed for 22 years for his role in the Jan. 6, 2021, riots at the US Capitol — just one of more than 1.1K cases concerning the protests of the 2020 election.
- His sentence currently sits as the longest one served in relation to the event, although prosecutors had asked US District Judge Timothy Kelly to sentence Tarrio to 33 years in prison.
- In May, Tarrio was convicted of seditious conspiracy, obstructing an official proceeding, conspiracy to prevent an officer from discharging their duties, obstruction of law enforcement during a civil disorder, and destruction of government property with a value of over $1K.
- Although Tarrio wasn't in Washington, DC, on Jan. 6, prosecutors allege Tarrio set up a "Ministry of Self Defense" while sending and receiving hundreds of encrypted messages over a plan to "storm the Capitol" and create a "revolution."
- Kelly described Tarrio as the "ultimate leader" of the riots, with the former Proud Boys leader also the first to be convicted of sedition without being present at the riots. Tarrio had been arrested on Jan. 4 for riots occurring in Washington, DC, on Dec. 12, 2020.
- Tarrio's prison term tops the 18-year sentences given to both Oath Keepers founder Steward Rhodes and former Proud Boys leader Ethan Nordean.
Spin
Democratic narrative
While the demise of the Proud Boys is a necessary victory for democracy and the rule of law, more must be done to protect the integral pillars of American society. The sentencing of white supremacists and far-right actors isn't enough to suppress their resurgence, and structural responses to ensure that such a domestic terror event doesn't happen again have so far not been implemented. Consequently, the US currently stands at a vital crossroads as the 2024 presidential election looms ever closer.
Republican narrative
It's unconscionable that a political protester who wasn't even in the physical location of a riot can get 22 years in prison while the average murderer gets sentenced to only 20 years. The weaponized Dept. of Justice is resolved on sending a message to anyone who dares to step out of line and challenge the system, even if that means redefining terms like terrorism and sedition. With the media in lockstep, a distorted narrative about the events of Jan. 6 is being pushed.
Nerd narrative
There's a 26% chance that the US government will invoke the Insurrection Act before 2025, according to the Metaculus prediction community.
