Proud Boys Led 'Coordinated Attack' in Democracy on January 6, Says Prosecutor

After putting away several leaders of the far-right armed militia group, the Oath Keepers, the Proud Boys are now next in the government's sights. The trial for its leader, Enrique Tarrio, has now started as he faces charges of seditious conspiracy.

In his opening statement, Assistant U.S. Attorney Jason B.A. McCullough stressed that Tarrio assembled a "fighting force" of Proud Boys on January 6 in an effort to stop the peaceful transfer of power as mandated by the U.S. Constitution.

He added that the Proud Boys leadership knew that Trump's hopes of a second term were fading fast, and then invoked the former president's own words during his debate against Joe Biden, saying that on January 6, "They did not stand back. They did not stand by." Instead, McCullough stated that they mobilized.

Experts regard the trial of Tarrio and four other Proud Boys leaders as one of the most consequential to emerge from the January 6 Capitol insurrection, according to the Associated Press. It will provide a deeper look at the far-right extremist group that has gone on to influence Republican politics.

Enrique Tarrio and Proud Boys Used as a Scapegoat by Donald Trump, Says Lawyer

The Justice Department painted the Proud Boys as the ones who led the charge on January 6, arguing that if it had not been for them, the rioters' charge might not have been as successful.

However, the defense attorneys for the far-right extremist group's leaders argued that they have been made the scapegoats of the entire thing, and after showing much reverence and loyalty to the former president, the group now blamed Donald Trump for egging them on, per the Washington Post.

Tarrio lawyer Sabino Jauregui also accused prosecutors of "deceptively stitching together offensive online messages." He argued that his client was actually trying to keep the Proud Boys members out of fights as he can often be seen talking to police before rallies.

The attorney did acknowledge that the Proud Boys members, who describe themselves as "Western chauvinists," have previously shared "offensive" messages but argued that it was the former president who ultimately unleashed the mob into the Capitol, damaging government property and vandalizing the "People's House."

"It's too hard to blame Trump," the Tarrio attorney said. "It's easier to blame Enrique as the face of the Proud Boys."

Who Are the Other Proud Boys Leaders on Trial?

The attorney for Proud Boy leader Ethan Nordean, Nicholas Smith, argued that his client and other members have already told federal authorities that they did not have any plan on January 6 and added that even government witnesses are corroborating it.

The other defendants include Joseph Biggs of Ormond Beach, Florida, Zachary Rehl, president of the Proud Boys Philadelphia Chapter, and Dominic Pezzola from Rochester, New York.

McCullough presented a photo of Pezzola with a message that Tarrio posted on social media that they were "Lords of War" with the hashtag "#J6." However, the prosecutor stated that these "Lords of War" were to stop the peaceful transfer of power.

The case is expected to resume on Friday.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Rick Martin

WATCH: Proud Boys wanted 'revolution' on Jan. 6, prosecution says in seditious conspiracy trial opener - WUSA9