Enrique Tarrio, former chairman of the Proud Boys, has expressed his intention to take legal action over his imprisonment and treatment.
Tarrio was sentenced to 22 years in prison for his involvement in the events of 6 January 2021 at the Capitol. Despite not being present at the Capitol, he was prosecuted as a mastermind of the “insurrection” that took place that day.
Dozens of members of the group were prosecuted, jailed—and now released.
Tarrio is one of 1500 people Trump pardoned in connection with 6 January.
At a press conference, the newly released Tarrio said he did not receive a fair trial and that he was subject to torture while in prison.
He gave a list of abuses he faced, including being held for periods of up to a day under inhumane conditions.
“I did nothing wrong. The Proud Boys did nothing wrong. And American patriots did nothing wrong.
“The process was corrupt,” he said.
Tarrio went on to say that his focus now would be “retaliation,” which he clarified as meaning “investigations.” Although President Trump will focus on “success” rather than “retribution”, Tarrio added, “I don’t play by those rules.”
Tarrio stated that he would hold another press conference to provide further details of the steps he plans to take.
In a subsequent interview, he also suggested he might run to be Miami’s next sheriff.
“I’m just riffing here, but I run for sheriff, and I win, and it’s sheriff Enrique Tarrio, well—stranger things have happened,” he said.