Major Controversies Surrounding Enrique Tarrio: A Detailed Timeline

Controversies are a part of history. Explore the biggest scandals linked to Enrique Tarrio.

Enrique Tarrio is an American far-right activist and the former chairman of the Proud Boys, a neo-fascist organization known for political violence. He was convicted of seditious conspiracy in May 2023 for his involvement in the January 6, 2021, United States Capitol attack. In September 2023, Tarrio received a 22-year prison sentence, but was later pardoned by President Donald Trump following the latter's return to office on January 20, 2025.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals

2004: Conviction for Theft

In 2004, at the age of 20, Enrique Tarrio was convicted of theft and sentenced to community service, three years of probation, and ordered to pay restitution.

2012: Informant Status

According to court transcripts, from 2012 to 2014, Enrique Tarrio served as an informant to both federal and local law enforcement.

2012: Informant to Law Enforcement

From 2012 to 2014, Enrique Tarrio served as an informant to both federal and local law enforcement, assisting in investigations related to various crimes.

2012: Tarrio's Past as an Informant

From 2012 to 2014, Tarrio worked as an informant for the FBI. The revelation that Tarrio had been an informant contributed to rifts within the group.

2012: Indictment for Scheme Involving Stolen Diabetic Test Strips

In 2012, Enrique Tarrio was indicted for his role in a scheme to rebrand and resell stolen diabetic test strips.

2013: Sentenced to Federal Prison

In 2013, Enrique Tarrio was sentenced to 30 months (of which he served 16) in federal prison for his role in a scheme to rebrand and resell stolen diabetic test strips.

2014: Informant Status

According to court transcripts, from 2012 to 2014, Enrique Tarrio served as an informant to both federal and local law enforcement.

2014: Informant to Law Enforcement

From 2012 to 2014, Enrique Tarrio served as an informant to both federal and local law enforcement, assisting in investigations related to various crimes.

2014: Tarrio's Past as an Informant

From 2012 to 2014, Tarrio worked as an informant for the FBI. The revelation that Tarrio had been an informant contributed to rifts within the group.

August 2017: Attendance at Unite the Right Rally

In August 2017, Enrique Tarrio attended the Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, claiming he was there to protest the removal of Confederate monuments.

2018: Twitter Account Removal

In 2018, Twitter removed Enrique Tarrio's account, along with other Proud Boys-related accounts, citing platform policies against violent extremist groups.

2018: Confrontation with Nancy Pelosi

In late 2018, Enrique Tarrio confronted and shouted expletives at House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, leading to condemnation from the Miami-Dade Republican Party and US Senator Marco Rubio.

June 2019: Response to Andy Ngo Beating

In June 2019, Enrique Tarrio responded to the beating of conservative blogger Andy Ngo, an event which spurred the organization of the End Domestic Terrorism rally later that year.

August 17, 2019: Organized End Domestic Terrorism Rally

On August 17, 2019, Enrique Tarrio helped organize the End Domestic Terrorism rally held in Portland, Oregon.

November 2020: Defeat of Donald Trump

After Donald Trump's defeat in the November 2020 election, Enrique Tarrio and the Proud Boys participated in rallies to support Trump's campaign to delegitimize the election loss.

December 11, 2020: Appeared in Video with Roger Stone

On December 11, 2020, Enrique Tarrio appeared in a video with Roger Stone, the day before a "Stop the Steal" rally where Tarrio stood on stage with Stone.

December 12, 2020: March in Washington, D.C. and Vandalism of Churches

On December 12, 2020, Enrique Tarrio and the Proud Boys marched in Washington, D.C. to support Trump's campaign and vandalized churches, including setting fire to a "Black Lives Matter" banner.

December 2020: Attack on Metropolitan AME Church

In December 2020, the Metropolitan AME Church was attacked, leading to a lawsuit against Enrique Tarrio and the Proud Boys.

January 5, 2021: Released on Bail

On January 5, 2021, Enrique Tarrio was released on bail with conditions, including being banned from entering Washington except for trial or meeting with his lawyers.

January 2021: Public Disclosure of Informant Role

In January 2021, Enrique Tarrio's role as an informant to law enforcement between 2012 and 2014 was made public after Reuters obtained court records and interviewed involved parties.

January 2021: Rifts in the Proud Boys Organization

In the aftermath of the 2021 United States Capitol attack, several chapters of the Proud Boys organization split with the national group, partly due to the revelation that Enrique Tarrio had been an informant.

April 2021: Default Judgment in Church Lawsuit

In April 2021, the Metropolitan AME Church won a default judgment against the Proud Boys in a lawsuit related to the December 2020 attack.

July 2021: Plea Agreement

In July 2021, as part of a plea agreement with prosecutors, Enrique Tarrio pleaded guilty to destruction of property and a misdemeanor count of attempted possession of a high-capacity magazine.

August 2021: Sentencing Hearing

In August 2021, at the sentencing hearing, Enrique Tarrio apologized for his actions, but the judge found his claims not credible. Tarrio was sentenced to 155 days in the D.C. Jail.

September 6, 2021: Began Serving Sentence

On September 6, 2021, Enrique Tarrio began serving his 155-day sentence in the D.C. Jail.

November 2021: Proud Boys Members Indicted

By November 2021, at least two dozen Proud Boys members and affiliates had been indicted for alleged roles in the January 6, 2021 United States Capitol attack, and Tarrio and the Proud Boys were subpoenaed by the House Select Committee on the January 6 Attack.

November 2021: Request for Early Release Denied

In November 2021, Enrique Tarrio's request for early release from the D.C. Jail, based on poor living conditions, was denied.

2021: Involvement in the United States Capitol attack

In 2021, Enrique Tarrio played a role in the United States Capitol attack, and would later be convicted of seditious conspiracy for his involvement.

January 2022: Proud Boys Members Arrested

By January 2022, at least 37 members of the Proud Boys were arrested and charged with January 6-related offenses.

February 2022: Deposition to January 6 Committee

In February 2022, Enrique Tarrio gave a deposition to committee investigators and two committee members under subpoena.

March 2022: Indictment on Conspiracy Charge

In March 2022, Enrique Tarrio was indicted in D.C. federal court on a conspiracy charge by the Justice Department for his involvement in organizing the January 6, 2021 attack, and was detained pending trial.

June 2022: Indictment on Seditious Conspiracy Charges

In June 2022, a federal grand jury indicted Enrique Tarrio and four other top Proud Boys lieutenants on more serious seditious conspiracy charges.

December 19, 2022: Jury Selection Begins

On December 19, 2022, jury selection began for the trial of Enrique Tarrio and four co-defendants after a last-minute delay request was denied.

January 12, 2023: Opening Statements Made

On January 12, 2023, opening statements were made in the trial of Enrique Tarrio and four co-defendants, with the trial experiencing delays due to clashes between Tarrio's counsel and the judge.

May 4, 2023: Guilty Verdict

On May 4, 2023, the jury issued its verdict, finding Enrique Tarrio, along with Nordean, Biggs, and Rehl, guilty of seditious conspiracy.

May 2023: Convicted of Seditious Conspiracy

In May 2023, Enrique Tarrio, along with three other Proud Boys leaders, was convicted of seditious conspiracy for his role in the 2021 United States Capitol attack.

June 2023: Judgment in Metropolitan AME Church Lawsuit

In June 2023, Enrique Tarrio and others were ordered to pay $36,626.78 in compensatory damages and $1 million in punitive damages in the Metropolitan AME Church lawsuit.

September 5, 2023: Sentenced to 22 Years in Prison

On September 5, 2023, Enrique Tarrio was sentenced to 22 years in prison for his involvement in the January 6th Capitol attack, the longest sentence given to any participant, which included a terrorism enhancement. He pleaded for mercy before sentencing.