Proud Boys leaders seek $100 million in damages from the US over Capitol riot lawsuits

(Patria) - Leaders of the Proud Boys, who were pardoned after being found guilty of attempting to keep President Donald Trump in power on January 6, 2021, after he lost the election to Joe Biden, filed a lawsuit on Friday seeking $100 million from the government, Reuters reported.

"The plaintiffs are filing this lawsuit to seek compensation for multiple violations of their constitutional rights," the document states.

The lawsuit was filed in Florida by Henry 'Enrique' Tarrio, former president of the far-right group, as well as Joseph Biggs, Zachary Rehl, and Ethan Nordean, who held leadership roles, plus Dominic Pezzola.

Tarrio was convicted of crimes, including seditious conspiracy, for his role in planning the Capitol riot aimed at preventing Congress from certifying Biden's electoral victory over Trump in 2020. He was sentenced to 22 years in prison.

Biggs, Rehl, and Nordean all held leadership roles in the Proud Boys and were tried alongside Tarrio for seditious conspiracy and other crimes.

Pezzola was accused of assaulting former Capitol Police officer Mark Odea by stealing his riot shield and smashing a window at the Capitol with it.

All four also received prison sentences.

On the first day of his return to duty in 2025, Trump issued a comprehensive pardon order, granting pardons to almost all of the more than 1,500 defendants who stormed the US Capitol on January 6, 2021, and commuting the sentences of 14 others.