Although they mobilized a few times to support Trump before the 2024 elections, it was, overall, quite dullespecially compared to 2020. This gave rise to speculation that the gang was running out of steam.
Then, on Monday, as Trump was being sworn in, more than 100 uniformed Proud Boys marched through the streets of Washington, D.C., led by their South Florida chapter.
It was a striking scene, one that seemed intended to send a clear message: “We are back.”
Since January 6, 2021, DC has been perceived by the far right as a no-go zone for Trump supporters of all stripes. But on Monday, the Proud Boys chanted “Whose streets, our streets.” They were given a hero’s welcome by other Trump supporters in the crowd, as seen on video recorded by independent journalist Ford Fischer.
On Tuesday, as bureaucratic snags delayed the release of a dozen Jan. 6 people from the Washington, D.C., prison, protesters gathered outside. Among them were at least four Proud Boys in uniform. Even though three of them had their faces covered, they moved without worrying about the stigmatization of the other people present. Oath Keeper founder Stewart Rhodes, whose 18-year sentence for seditious conspiracy was commuted by Trump, also appeared outside the prison, having been released from a Maryland federal prison the night before .
One of the Proud Boys in attendance spoke at the impromptu rally outside the prison, identifying himself as “Harry Fox.” (It was the same name other Proud Boys gave to reporters on Inauguration Day.)
“Donald Trump is back, baby. He’s back and he’s stronger than ever,” he said into the microphone. “I am so proud of what American citizens did that day,” he added, referring to January 6, “for finally standing up after decades of abuse and oppression by an authoritarian regime.
He ended his speech with the Proud Boys slogan: “I am a Western chauvinist and I will not apologize for creating the modern world.” The crowd applauded.
Tarrio, in his phone call to Jones on Tuesday, made clear that he sees the role of the Proud Boys as no different than it was four years ago: He sees them as the foot soldiers and the muscle of the GOP. “I think the future of the club will be what it has always been,” Tarrio said. “A group of men who love America, get around, drink beer, and protect Trump supporters from attack… We will defend ourselves and Trump supporters from attack because of their political views.” »
He suggested he felt vindicated by Trump’s election victory and his decision to pardon almost everyone involved in the Jan. 6 riot. “We went through hell and I’ll tell you: it was worth it,” Tarrio told Jones. “What we stood for and what these guys stood for, that’s what we fought for, that’s what we saw yesterday on the inauguration stage…I can’t tell you it’s been easy . But I will tell you it was worth it.