The Proud Boys ‘set their sights’ on American democracy

In one of the most high-profile trials sparked by the Jan. 6, 2021 Capitol shootings, U.S. prosecutors have accused leaders of the far-right group Proud Boys of attacking American democracy. accused of planning

In his opening argument, U.S. Attorney Jason McCullough said that Proud Boys chairman Henry “Enrique” Tullio and four other leaders would turn to violence after Donald Trump’s loss in the 2020 presidential election. He told jurors that he engaged in agitation to try to keep Donald Trump using him.

“On January 6th, they took aim at the heart of our democracy,” McCullough told jurors on Thursday.

Lawyers for the defendants said it was Trump, not the Proud Boys, who prompted thousands of supporters to attack the Capitol.

Sabino Jauregui, Talio’s lawyer, said, “He’s the one who told them to march to the Capitol and fight like hell. Enrique didn’t say that.

Justice Department accused extremist group members of sedition conspiracy after Trump supporters stormed the Capitol in an attempt to stop lawmakers from proving Biden lost to the president in the November 2020 presidential election This is the third time I have been charged with a crime.

Oath Keepers founder Stewart Rose and another branch leader of the far-right extremist group were convicted of seditious conspiracy charges in November, with another trial pending against four more members. .

A Civil War-era law prohibiting any attempt to overthrow or destroy the U.S. government carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison.

When it became clear Trump wouldn’t win re-election, “They didn’t back down. They didn’t sit on the sidelines. Instead they mobilized,” McCullough said, noting that Trump was proud in the pre-election debates. Rephrased the comment Boys. You have to “stop and wait”.

All five Proud Boys defendants have pleaded not guilty, and their lawyers argue that they did not attempt to prevent the peaceful transfer of power.

Prosecutors have filed criminal charges against more than 950 people following the assaults. In the chaos he died 4 people and after the attack he killed 5 police officers of various causes.

Under Special Counsel Jack Smith, the Justice Department is also investigating efforts by Trump advisers to reverse the election loss.