Enrique Tarrio, the former leader of the Proud Boys, recently confronted a group of police officers who defended the United States Capitol during the January 6 insurrection. The confrontation took place at a Principles First conference, an event positioned as a center-right alternative to the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC). The altercation highlighted the ongoing tensions surrounding the January 6 attack and its aftermath.
Tarrio, who was arrested near the Capitol on January 6 for simple assault after allegedly striking a woman's cellphone and arm, engaged in a heated exchange with officers Michael Fanone, Harry Dunn, and Aquilino Gonell. These officers had been on the front lines defending the Capitol during the insurrection. Fanone, a former Capitol police officer, has been vocal about his views on far-right groups like the Proud Boys and the Oath Keepers, describing them as "Donald Trump's personal brownshirt militia."
"That is what we are up against: the indecency, the cruelty, the inhumanity of this movement that needs to be purged – purged – from America." – Michael Fanone
The confrontation unfolded following a panel discussion where the officers expressed their outrage over former President Donald Trump's pardons of insurrection participants, including Tarrio. Fanone referred to the January 6 attack as a "domestic terrorist attack" and accused Trump of being responsible for it. Tarrio was convicted and sentenced to 22 years in prison for seditious conspiracy and other charges related to the attack, but he was later pardoned by Trump along with roughly 1,500 other insurrectionists.
"He pardoned them because he wants people to know that, if you commit crimes on his behalf, he’s got your back." – Michael Fanone
During the confrontation, Tarrio accused one of the police officers of being a "coward" and claimed that they were only "brave" on Twitter, suggesting their actions on January 6 did not reflect bravery. This accusation came despite the officers' recognized efforts during the attack. The Principles First conference awarded these officers a "profile in courage" award for their commitment to highlighting the events of January 6.
"History is going to remember us for what we did or did not do." – Harry Dunn
A tense moment arose when a woman in the audience shouted "Traitors!" in response to Fanone's comments about the Proud Boys and the Oath Keepers. The moderator of the discussion praised the officers for their continued efforts to keep attention focused on the insurrection and its implications.
"These are insurrectionists, let’s be very clear." – Michael Fanone
The confrontation at the conference underscored deep divisions within American political discourse, particularly concerning accountability for the January 6 insurrection and its participants. The officers' concerns about the pardons echo widespread debate over how justice should be served for those involved in the attack.