Proud Boys Sue U.S. Government for $100M Over Jan. 6 Prosecution Abuses

In a bold move that could shake the foundations of legal accountability, five members of the Proud Boys have launched a staggering $100 million lawsuit against the U.S. government, targeting specific FBI and Department of Justice employees. Enrique Tarrio, Zachary Rehl, Ethan Nordean, Joseph Biggs, and Dominic Pezzola are alleging a gross violation of their constitutional rights during their prosecutions tied to the infamous January 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol.

Filed in a Florida federal court, the lawsuit paints a grim picture of what the plaintiffs call an egregious abuse of power. They accuse the government of employing tactics straight out of a dystopian novel—think evidence tampering, witness intimidation, and even breaches of attorney-client privilege. Their claim? This was a targeted campaign to crush political allies of former President Trump by any means necessary, legal or otherwise.

The plaintiffs argue that their convictions, which include seditious conspiracy for four of the five men, were built on shaky ground. Tarrio, who received the harshest sentence of 22 years among all January 6 defendants, led the pack in penalties, followed by Nordean at 18 years, Biggs at 17, Rehl at 15, and Pezzola at 10 for conspiracy to obstruct Congress. Yet, in a dramatic turn, President Trump pardoned or commuted nearly all their sentences upon taking office this year.

Now free, the men are fighting back, claiming their prosecutions were marred by malicious intent and false imprisonment. They point to what they describe as a novel and dubious legal theory used against them, likening their convictions to punishment for mere rhetoric rather than concrete actions. With the exception of Tarrio, who was barred from D.C. at the time due to a prior arrest, the others were physically present at the Capitol during the chaos.

This lawsuit isn’t just a legal battle; it’s a statement. The plaintiffs assert that their vindication through pardons has restored their rights as citizens, and they’re determined to hold their alleged ‘tormentors’ accountable. As this case unfolds, it raises profound questions about the balance of justice and political retribution in a deeply divided nation.