Former Proud Boys’ leader Enrique Tarrio arrested outside US Capitol following altercation with protester

Tarrio, who was among those recently pardoned by President Trump, was taken into custody on simple assault charges, according to reporter Scott Taylor, citing US Capitol Police.

Capitol Police told Taylor that officers observed a woman placing a mobile phone in close proximity to a man's face while the two were walking near Delaware Avenue NE and D Street. The male was observed by officers striking the woman's arm and phone. The man was arrested for simple assault after the woman informed police that she wished to be a complainant.

Authorities identified the suspect as Enrique Tarrio and said he had just held a news conference on Capitol grounds without incident. The altercation occurred following the conclusion of the event.

Video footage shows officers placing Tarrio in handcuffs and escorting him away from the scene.

In September 2023, Tarrio was sentenced to 22 years in prison for seditious conspiracy and other crimes related to the January 6 riot at the US Capitol in 2021. His conviction was seen as highly controversial due to Tarrio not being in Washington, D.C., on that day. Several other members of the Proud Boys also received lengthy prison sentences for their participation in the riot. Legacy media and Democratic politicians accused the Proud Boys of being the masterminds behind the attack but never produced evidence to back up their claims.

The Trump administration pardoned roughly 1500 people, including members of the Proud Boys, who were convicted or charged with crimes related to the January 6 riot, saying that they were unfairly targeted by Biden's "weaponized" Justice Department. Other J6 defendants had their sentences commuted and were released from prison.