Former Proud Boys leader Enrique Tarrio has been released from prison after receiving a pardon from President Donald Trump, Scripps News has learned.
RELATED STORY | President Trump pardons about 1,500 Jan. 6 defendants, commutes sentences for 14 others
Tarrio is one of the 1,500 people either charged or convicted in connection to the attack on the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021, who were pardoned on Monday.
Others pardoned include former leaders of the far-right extremist group the Oath Keepers. President Trump also commuted the sentences of 14 others.
"We extend our deepest gratitude to him for his timely and significant decision to issue a full and complete pardon for our client, Enrique Tarrio," a statement from Tarrio's attorney says.
Tarrio was sentenced to 22 years in prison after being found guilty of seditious conspiracy in 2023.
"Throughout this journey, we have steadfastly maintained that the charges and the subsequent prosecution were politically motivated, and today, with President Trump’s act of clemency, that long-fought battle concludes," the statement from Tarrio's attorney says.
WPTV Reporter Ethan Stein spoke to Tarrio's mother, Zuny Duarter Tarrio, about 20 minutes after she got off the phone with her son. She said she is proud of his son's actions.
“He’s a good patriot. He really is,” Zuny Tarrio said. “Those who say otherwise need to do their homework. I’m dying to see him.”
Zuny said she was waiting until the early morning hours on Tuesday to hear about her son’s release. She said she was thankful to the Trump administration.
“I never thought this would happen,” she said. “This is just like a dream come true for us.”
Rep. Louis Frankel (D) told WPTV she diagreed with the pardons in a virtual interview Tuesday afternoon. Frankel hid in the Capitol building for four hours during the protests where the Department of Justice said about 140 police officers were assaulted.
“I wouldn’t call that patriotism on the part of the mob,” Frankel said. “I would call it patriotism on the part of the very brave officers who tried to protect us that day.”
The congresswoman said she was in “shock” during the attack and tried to find a gas mask. She said it was a “hallowing” experience.
Tarrio's attorney told Scripps News that they are working on transportation for Tarrio to return to his hometown of Miami.
“I think that he thought this country needed new leadership and a new administration,” Zuny Tarrio said. “He wanted Donald Trump back and that makes him a good patriot. He does what’s good for this country.”
RELATED STORY | Judges allow some Capitol riot defendants to return to DC for Trump's inauguration
Speaking Monday evening from the Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C., following his inaugural parade, President Trump referred to those charged in connection to Jan. 6 as "hostages" who were unjustly prosecuted.
"This proclamation ends a grave national injustice that has been perpetrated upon the American people over the last four years and begins a process of national reconciliation," the executive order reads.
President Trump also directed the attorney general to dismiss any pending indictments against individuals over their conduct in regards to Jan. 6.
An estimated 140 police officers were assaulted on the day of the riot, including about 80 from the U.S. Capitol Police and about 60 from the Metropolitan Police Department.
Republican Sen. Susan Collins of Maine said while she does support the idea of pardoning some Jan. 6 defendants, she doesn't believe all who have been charged are deserving of clemency.
“While I believe some Americans were caught up in the crowd on January 6 and may well deserve the clemency President Trump has given, there is a great difference between violent crimes and non-violent crimes," Collins said in a statement. "I do not support pardons given to people who engaged in violence on January 6, including assaulting police officers, or breaking windows to get into the Capitol, for example."
